Press Release

2007-08 Cobb Teachers of the Year Announced For Each Academic Level
District Winner To Be Announced in September

With more than 9,000 outstanding educators in the Cobb County School District, it has become an annual tradition to recognize a Teacher of the Year for each academic level and to give the district-wide honor to one of those three unique teachers. The District is proud to announce Mrs. Gina Coss of Sedalia Park Elementary School, Mr. Bob Hague of Lovinggood Middle School and Mrs. Beverly Titlow of Walton High School as the 2007-2008 Cobb County Teachers of the Year.

Gina Coss of Sedalia Park Elementary began her career not with books and blackboards, but with stocks and bonds. After several years working in brokerage firms, Mrs. Coss turned her energy from building profits to building young minds as a teacher. “I decided to become what I believe I was meant to be: a teacher,” said Mrs. Coss. Upon completion of a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University, Mrs. Coss joined the staff at Sedalia Park and has never looked back. She feels her strengths as a teacher are in developing good work ethics in her elementary students, emphasizing responsibility, accountability and honesty. “The more ownership students take of their learning, the more their learning will cement and increase,” said Mrs. Coss. She also cites the influence of her fellow teachers at Sedalia Park and describes her colleagues’ work ethic as “awe-inspiring.”

Mrs. Coss has also been involved with a variety of community activities outside the classroom. She works annually with Sedalia Park’s Relay for Life team, raising funds and awareness for cancer research. Mrs. Coss serves on the Parent Advisory Board for Joe Corley American Karate Studios, volunteers as an usher at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta and judges senior projects for Wheeler High School students. She and her family are active members of the Catholic Church of St. Ann, where she serves in the Parish School of Religion and plays in the Handbell Choir. Mrs. Coss is also continuing her own education at Kennesaw State University where she is enrolled in a dual specialist/doctorate program in education.

Middle school honoree Bob Hague also made the transition from another profession to become a successful Social Studies teacher. Hague spent 15 years as a police officer, detective and trainer in Virginia. When he became supervisor of officers assigned to the local school district, his transition from policeman to teacher began. Hague earned his certification to teach the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), a program that teaches students about the dangers of drug use and promotes healthy lifestyles. After 15 years in police work, he moved with his wife, Cathy, and their three children to Powder Springs in 2000. Hague worked in a psychiatric facility for teens while earning his Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Kennesaw State University. After graduating in 2004, Hague joined Smitha Middle School where he taught eighth grade Social Studies for two years.

Hague moved to Lovinggood Middle School for its first year in 2006-07, teaching sixth graders. “Student learning becomes more meaningful when it takes place in the context of real world activities,” said Hague. When Hague noticed the popularity of the Pokémon trading card game among his students, it inspired him to create Latin American trading cards to help students review their history unit. Hague’s students researched the materials and created an entire set of cards based on Latin American history and geography.

“I can best reach my students by getting to know them,” said Hague. Test data is helpful when looking for red flags, but it does not always tell the whole story about a student. I love teaching middle school because there is a real challenge figuring out what makes these kids tick. As I get to know them, I am better able to make good choices about whom to group or pair them with for some tasks. I am better equipped to design assignments that give both a challenge and a realistic chance of success (and the boost of self esteem that goes with it).”

High school Teacher of the Year Beverly Titlow has been teaching for three decades, including two with the Cobb County School District. Mrs. Titlow first joined the Walton High School staff in 1987 after teaching in Florida, Maryland and Texas. During her tenure in Cobb, Mrs. Titlow has taught a myriad of subjects, including European history, world history, Latin language, art and gifted courses at Walton and Kell high schools. “I believe I have been most fortunate because I teach subjects which are all connected in some way. I try to use art in history and Latin. I use history in art and Latin. One of my most favorite lessons is to pose the question ‘Does history impact art or does art impact history?’ I want all of my students to be able to think critically and to analyze,” she said.

Mrs. Titlow earned her undergraduate degree in European History and Latin from the University of Alabama. She also earned a Master’s degree in European history from the University of West Florida and completed additional master’s studies in Latin at Georgia State University. She is an active member of a variety of social studies councils, including the National Classical League, and volunteers annually as a reader for the national Advanced Placement exam. She and her family are also active in their neighborhood and church.

As a veteran teacher, Mrs. Titlow serves as a mentor for new educators and actively encourages high school students to explore education as a career. “Each year I would try to encourage students to consider the field of teaching,” said Mrs. Titlow. “At the high school level, I have the advantage of influencing those ready to embark on their collegiate journey. I honestly believe that this is done subliminally through my passion in the classroom.”

The Cobb County School District began recognizing Teachers of the Year for all three levels in 2004, providing an opportunity to recognize more than one outstanding educator and allowing the honorees to showcase the unique talents and skills needed at each academic level.

The teaching staffs at each school select their own Teacher of the Year who, in turn, is nominated for the district-wide honor. Each application is read and rated independently by a committee of administrators. The highest-rated applicants from elementary, middle, and high schools become the Teachers of the Year.

The District Teacher of the Year is chosen from among the three finalists following a comprehensive interview process. The district Teacher of the Year will be announced next month at a surprise ceremony.

Click here for a complete list of the individual school's Teacher of the Year