By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor 

  Barbara Rosolino, an Honors English and AP Composition teacher at Eagle’s Landing High School in Stockbridge was named Henry County Teacher of the Year at the Harvest of Heroes Ceremony held last Thursday evening at the Performing Arts Center in McDonough.

Barbara Rosolino was named Henry County Teacher of the Year at the Harvest of Heroes Ceremony on Thursday, October 18.                                   Special photo

  Rosolino was one of three finalists up for the coveted award and will represent the Henry County School District for the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition, with the state winner to be announced in May, 2013.

  The other two finalists were Tina McPherson, a kindergarten teacher at Stockbridge Elementary and Sheila Thomas-Johnson, a history and gifted class teacher at Henry County Middle School. All of Henry County’s 51 schools were represented with each school’s individual teacher of the year selected by their peers. The competition for finalists was pared down to three after a questionnaire and essay submission.

  According to J.D. Harden, Communications Specialist for Henry County Schools, after earning the Teacher of the Year title at their prospective schools, each school’s Teacher of the Year representative submitted an application package for the system award. The application required answers to several questions ranging from their initial interest in teaching, to what they see as trends in teaching and how they impact classroom instruction. Finalists were then considered for the title of Henry County Schools’ Teacher of the Year after a classroom observation and interview process.

  Rosolino is a 34-year veteran of teaching and has taught in the seventh grade up through the collegiate level. She is a native of New York where she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in English from State University of New York at Stony Brook. A National Board Certified Teacher, she has been living and teaching in Georgia for more than 20 years. She has been married for 29 years and has two children.

  McPherson has taught her entire 21-year career in Henry County Schools and has taught all elementary grade levels. Thomas-Johnson has spent 19 years in education, teaching elementary, middle school and high school grades.

  Along with the top honor of Teacher of the Year, Rosalino was awarded $1,000 from Sons Honda and McPherson and Thomas-Johnson each received a cash prize of $375 from the auto dealership. Kroger Grocery stores presented $500 to Rosolino along with a gift basket and the other two finalists each received a gift basket and $250. Rosolino will also have the opportunity to attend an educational conference of her choosing for which the Henry County School District with provide financial assistance.

  The Harvest of Heroes ceremony also recognized this year’s other outstanding staff members. Jennifer McCrary, from Cotton Indian Elementary School was honored as Media Specialist of the Year and several other school employees were recognized as Hero Award winners during the evening’s ceremony. They are: Lisa Cox, a bus driver for Eagle’s Landing Middle School, who was recognized as transportation employee; Tiffany Price, from Woodland High School, honored as support personnel; Elizabeth Webster, from Hickory Flat Elementary, named service employee; and Susan Whitehorn, from Ola High School named school nutrition employee hero.