In October 2020, GCA parent, April Watson, submitted a nomination for Mrs. Jeanie Schneider to be named teacher of the year through the VFW (The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US) contest that focuses on history, honoring veterans, and instilling patriotism. 

Mrs. Schneider is an outstanding teacher, and her annual Veteran's Day assignment for the 8th graders was a perfect example to share with the VFW. The annual assignment includes interviewing a veteran, documenting the veteran's story, creating a display board about the veteran, and inviting the veteran to GCA's Veterans Day assembly to be honored while their display board is presented. In doing so, Mrs. Schneider is connecting students with veterans and preserving each veteran's story. Mrs. Watson reflected that this project "meant a great deal to our own family, as my father-in-law served in Vietnam and does not talk about his experience very often. This allowed my children to hear his story, document it for future generations, and increase their respect and understanding about their grandfather's time flying helicopters in Vietnam." 

Mrs. Watson was notified by Mr. Tommy Timpson, the District Commander for the VFW, that Mrs. Schneider has WON at the local post level and the district level. Mrs. Schneider is now competing at the state level in Tennessee! If she wins at state level, her entry will go on to compete at the national level for this honor of teacher of the year. 

Mrs. Schneider and Mrs. Watson will attend a meeting that includes lunch and an award presentation to her on March 14 in Oak Ridge, TN. Mrs. Watson will bring the projects that her children (Mackenzie and Josiah) created while in her class to display at the meeting. 

Mrs. Watson commented, "I am delighted to know Mrs. Schneider has won at the local and district levels, as she is extremely deserving of his honor!" You can read the beautifully written nomination submitted by Mrs. Watson here.

Congratulations to Mrs. Schneider!