GAEYC Child Educator of the Year

The GAEYC Child Educator of the Year award honors outstanding educators in center-based programs and schools who demonstrate exemplary work with children. Nominations are accepted for three different awards each year.

  • The small center award goes to an outstanding educator in a center with fewer than 50 children enrolled

  • The large center award goes to an outstanding educator in a center with 50 or more children enrolled

  • The school award goes to an outstanding educator in a public or private school early childhood program

Award criteria

Recipients of the GAEYC Child Educator of the Year award must meet the following criteria:

  • Outstanding employee at a child care center or school who demonstrates exemplary work with children

Recipients of the GAEYC Child Educator of the Year award

  • 2022: Pamela Robinson (small center)

  • 2022: Whitne McDuffie (large center)

  • 2022: Bianca Camacho (school)

  • 2021: Jasmine Cumbee (small center)

  • 2021: Shari Washington (large center)

  • 2020: Kim Jackson (small center)

  • 2020: Kayla Durrant (large center)

  • 2019: Edelina Lane (small center)

  • 2019: Jessica DeLaigle (large center)

  • 2018: Kimotta Jackson (small center)

  • 2018: Rosalind O’Brien (large center)

  • 2017: Mikkayla Kenney

  • 2016: Darius Phelps

  • 2016: Billie Walker

  • 2015: Siobian Minish

  • 2014: Lawanda Duff

  • 2014: Michelle Smith Lank

  • 2013: Meredith Lynn Seibert

  • 2012: Amber Waggoner

  • 2012: Tinnie Lee

  • 2011: Amanda Lankford

  • 2010: Rose Parker-James

  • 2009: Darlene Ferguson

  • 2009: Carmen Crosby

  • 2008: Mitzi Hoffman

  • 2008: Evelyn Russell

  • 2007: Janna Rookis

  • 2006: Phyllis Strobridge

  • 2005: Leonor & Kevin Jackson

  • 2005: Sherron Murphy

  • 2004: Jamie Miller

  • 2003: Mandi Maloon

  • 2002: Pamela Letchworth

  • 2001: Elaine Pittman

  • 1997: Lynda Crapo

Recipients of the GAYC Certified Teacher of the Year award

*Note: This award was discontinued as a separate award in 2017, and a “public/private school” category was added to the GAEYC Child Educator of the Year to honor certified teachers in public and private schools.

  • 2016: Channie Frazier

Channie Frazier is a lead Pre-K teacher at Kid’s World Learning Center in Statesboro, GA. During her employment at Kid’s World Learning Center, she has exemplified high quality, commitment, dedication, and loyalty. Channie took the lead in guiding and assisting other classrooms through the NAEYC Accreditation project, helping others to understand the criteria and how to apply it in their classrooms.  During the center’s Quality Rated process, Channie made sure that her Pre-K classroom was maintaining above average standards.  While employed at Kid’s World Learning Center, she has increased her own knowledge in the field of early childhood care and education by obtaining her Master’s Degree and is imparting that knowledge to new potential teachers in the child care field by teaching on-line courses in early childhood education. Channie is also a top three finalist for Pre-K Teacher of the Year in private programs.

  • 2015: Rhonda Doster

  • 2014: Erin Wright

  • 2013: Kelly Craig

  • 2012: Nakeshia Wright

  • 2011: Melissa Webb

  • 2009: Becky Gianinio

  • 2008: Suzanne Hood

  • 2007: Beth Peterson

  • 2006: Joanna Green

  • 2005: Cathy Brooks

  • 2004: Pamela Porter

  • 1997: Earnestine E. Ezekiel

  • 1992: Kathryn Fox May