Columbia County to announce top educator

Columbia County school officials intend to honor their top educator during the Teacher of the Year Awards Dinner on Thursday.

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To be held at Savannah Rapids Pavilion, the annual event recognizes each winning teacher from all of the county's public schools.

A panel of educators from outside the county selects five finalists and an overall winner who will be announced Thursday.

Finalists for this year's honor are Patty Barrett, of Cedar Ridge Elementary; Toni Cliatt, of Grovetown Middle; Emily King, of Riverside Middle; Michele Rigsby, of Bel Air Elementary; and Christi Thigpen, of Greenbrier Middle.

The winner will go on to represent Columbia County in competition for the state Teacher of the Year.

At the event, school officials will recognize Jane Roupe, of Cedar Ridge Elementary, as Media Specialist of the Year.

She will receive a cash prize and Dell laptop computer.

The Teacher of the Year will win a laptop, $500 and a gift bag.