Each Year the GVATA encourages members to nominate their fellow teachers to participate in the GVATA / NAAE Awards Program. Below is the list of past winners. These outstanding members will represent our State at the NAAE Convention as they compete for the National awards.
The reality is that we have a lot of great things going on in our profession in Georgia and this is a way to recognize our peers for those accomplishments. You can nominate yourself or others. Nominations are anonymous. Area Directors will use the nominations to contact those who are nominated and encourage them to complete the applications.
Applications are due by January 12th. Winners will be announced to all of the GVATA members via email by April 23rd. State winners will move on to the Region V competition, which is June 23rd-26th in Warner Robbins, GA. State winners will be able to modify their applications prior to resubmitting them to NAAE by May 15th.
We’re collecting the awards applications via a Google Form. Applications will need to be in a pdf format. If you have any issues, please reach out to your GVATA Area Directors. Please use the following links to submit your finished applications prior to April 1st:
Teachers Turn the Key
Ideas Unlimited
Teacher Mentor Award
Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher Award
Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award
Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program Award
Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award
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2024 GVATA/NAAE Award Winners
| Ideas Unlimited |
Leigh Vinson |
| Outstanding Agricultural Teacher |
Ashley Rivers |
| Outstanding Agricultural Program |
Lowndes County Middle School |
| Outstanding Early Career Teacher |
Sarah Beth Hammond |
| Outstanding Ag Ed State Staff Member |
Brittaney Schwing |
| Outstanding Elementary Agricultural Teacher |
Stephanie Peterson |
| Outstanding Postsecondary Ag Program |
The University of Georgia |
| Teacher Mentor Award |
Dr. Carl Nichols |
| Teacher Turn the Key |
Kristen Thomas |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Melissa Riley |
| Lifetime Achievement |
Dr. Lynne Cook |
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2023 GVATA / NAAE Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2022 GVATA / NAAE State award winners!
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2022 GVATA / NAAE Award Winners
Congratulations to the 2022 GVATA / NAAE State award winners!
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2021 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the 2021 GVATA / NAAE State award winners!
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2020 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the 2020 GVATA / NAAE State award winners! These members will be recognized at our Summer Conference and represent Georgia as they compete at the NAAE Region V level later this year.
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2019 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the 2019 GVATA Award Winners. These individuals also recognized GVATA as NAAE Award Finalists.
| Outstanding Young Member |
Chelsea Begnaud, Oconee Co High |
| Outstanding Teacher |
Jessica Bowden, LaGrange High |
| Outstanding Ag Program |
Southeast Bulloch High |
| Outstanding Adult Ag Ed |
Laurens County Young Farmers |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Hope Carter, West Laurens Middle |
| Ideas Unlimited |
April Davis, Commerce Middle |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
Stan Mitchell, North Region Ag Ed |
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| Outstanding Cooperation Award |
Sunbelt Ag Expo* |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Dr. D.J. Sheppard, Recruitment & Retention* |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Mrs. Cindy Greene |
| Teacher Mentor |
Dr. Frank Flanders, ABAC* |
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2018 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the 2018 GVATA Award Winners. These individuals also recognized GVATA as NAAE Award Finalists.
| Outstanding Middle School/Secondary Program |
Bagley Middle School* |
| Outstanding Teacher |
Adrienne Smith, Colquitt County High School |
| Outstanding Post-Secondary Program |
Wayne County Young Farmer* |
| Outstanding Early Career Teacher |
Kalie Hall, Madison County High School |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Callie Kendrick, Byron Middle School |
| Ideas Unlimited |
Brandi Baade, Pike County High School* |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
Chris Corzine, Central Region Director |
| Outstanding Cooperation Award |
Georgia FFA Foundation* |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Representative Terry England |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Dr. Argene Claxton |
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2017 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will be recognized at the 2017 GVATA Summer Leadership Conference and move on to regional judging at NAAE.
| Outstanding Teacher |
Kasey Jackson, West Laurens High School |
| Outstanding Secondary Program |
ECI (Emanuel County Institute), Tori Meadows |
| Outstanding Post-Secondary Program |
Toombs County Young Farmers, Joey Montford* |
| Outstanding Young Member |
Sarah Nerswick, Cambridge High School* |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Brandi Baade, Pike County High School
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| Ideas Unlimited |
Jonathan Hardeman* |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
Christa Steinkamp |
| Outstanding Cooperation Award |
Georgia EMCs |
| Outstanding Service Citation |
Senator John Wilkinson* |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Dr. DJ Sheppard |
*Denotes NAAE Region V winner.
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2016 GVATA Award Winners
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will be recognized at the 2016 GVATA Summer Leadership Conference and move on to regional judging at NAAE.
| Outstanding Teacher |
Nelson McCracken, Bagley Middle School* |
| Outstanding Secondary Program |
Miller County High School, Kitty Bodiford |
| Outstanding Post-Secondary Program |
Murray County Young Farmer* |
| Outstanding Young Member |
Adrienne Smith, Colquitt High School* |
| Ideas Unlimited |
Myria Shipman, Islands High School |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Hannah Elrick, Effingham County High School |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2015 GVATA Award Winners
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will now move on to regional judging at NAAE. Visit the Georgia AG Ed Photo Gallery to see pictures of the 2015 GVATA Award winners and to see snapshots of the 2015 GVATA Summer Conference.
| Outstanding Teacher |
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Bryant Oliver, Wheeler County High School
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| Outstanding Young Member |
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Brandon Ray - LaFayette High School
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| Teachers Turn the Key |
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Adrienne Smith - Colquitt County High School
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| Ideas Unlimited |
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Nancy Sell - Screven County High*
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| Outstanding Agriculture Program |
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Veterans High - Clay Walker & Jeff Wilson
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| Outstanding Post Secondary Program |
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Miller County Young Farmers* |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
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Dr. Lynn Barber, South Region Director |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2014 GVATA / NAAE Award Winners
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will be recognized at the 2014 GVATA Summer Leadership Conference and move on to regional judging at NAAE.
| Outstanding Young Member |
Clay Walker |
| Outstanding Teacher |
Richard Gill |
| Teacher Mentor |
Richard Gill |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Michael Barnes & Josh White |
| Outstanding Agriculture Program |
Madison County High School* |
| Ideas Unlimited |
Chansi Coleman |
| Outsanding Post Secondary Program |
Gordon County Young Farmers |
| Oustanding State Staff Member |
Katrina Jones |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Gary Minard* |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2013 GVATA Award Winners
| Outstanding Teacher |
Dr. Sara Clark |
| Outstanding Young Member |
Michael Gardner |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Amanda Keener
Tim Griffeth |
| Ideas Unlimited |
Taylor Brown*
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| Outstanding Agriculture Program |
Northside High |
| Outstanding Post Secondary Program |
Johnson Co. Young Farmers* |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
Ms. Martha White |
*NAAE Region V winner.
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2012 GVATA / NAAE Awards
Congratulations to the following GVATA Award Winners. These individuals and programs will be recognized at the 2012 GVATA Summer Leadership Conference and move on to regional judging at NAAE.
| Outstanding Teacher |
Bill Waldrep, Mary Persons High School* |
| Outstanding Secondary Program |
Bleckley County High, Mr. Doyle Floyd and Mr. Walt Parks |
| Outstanding Post-Secondary Program |
Effingham County Young Farmer* |
| Outstanding Young Member |
Meredith Arrington, Effingham County High School
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| Ideas Unlimited |
Taylor Ginn, East Jackson High School |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
Brittany Bearden, Hahira Middle School
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| Outstanding State Staff Member |
John "Chip" Bridges |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2011 GVATA Award Winners
| Outstanding Young Member |
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Taylor Ginn |
| Outstanding Teacher |
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Kitty Simmons |
| Outstanding Agriculture Program |
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Southeast Bulloch |
| Outstanding Adult Ag Ed Program |
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Houston County Young Farmers* |
| Ideas Unlimited |
|
Joe Green* |
| Teachers Turn the Key |
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Meredith Arrington
Allen Nasworthy |
| Outstanding State Staff Member |
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Ben Lastly |
*NAAE Region V Winner.
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2010 GVATA / NAAE Awards
| Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program |
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| Outstanding Teacher |
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| Outstanding Post Secondary/Adult Program |
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| Ideas Unlimited |
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| Turn the Key |
Trisha Lastly |
| Outstanding Young Member |
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2009 GVATA Award Winners
| Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program |
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Gary Minyard
Cale Watkins
Owen Thomason |
| Outstanding Teacher |
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Gary Minyard |
| Outstanding Post Secondary/Adult Program |
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Dr. Freddie Waltz |
| Ideas Unlimited |
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Joe Green |
| Turn the Key |
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Trisha Lastly |
| Outstanding Young Member |
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Brittany Neff |
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