Press Release

2008-09 Cobb Teachers of the Year Announced For Each Academic Level

The Cobb County School District continued its annual tradition of honoring a Teacher of the Year for each academic level, one of which will be awarded the district-wide honor. The District is proud to announce Angela Fenton of McClure Middle School, Karen Stargel of Varner Elementary School, and Scott Stephens of Kell High School as the 2008-2009 Cobb County Teachers of the Year.

Angela Fenton began teaching 7th grade social studies at McClure Middle School in 2006, following more than a decade of service in Cobb at Floyd and Smitha middle schools. The 13-year veteran recognized her calling to education while at college, when her passion for learning was recognized by friends and professors alike. Today, her classroom is known as ‘Planet Hollywood,’ where social studies become fascinating explorations of the world. With a classroom full of potential business, political and education leaders, Ms. Fenton challenges her students to become S.T.A.R.s – Scholars, Thinkers, Achievers, and Risk-takers.

Combining a love for the arts and her desire to see all students succeed, Karen Stargel of Varner Elementary has been a transforming force in the schools she serves. After more than six years as an art teacher at Brumby and Sky View elementary schools, Ms. Stargel shifted her focus toward serving students with special needs. She joined Harmony-Leland Elementary in 2001 and played a variety of roles including Instructional Lead Teacher and Title I parent facilitator. Her flexibility and outstanding leadership led to another new role at Varner Elementary in 2005. At Varner, she teaches both general and special education classes. Her philosophy is, “Every child is a success story waiting to be written…my job is to lead the students, and help them discover their strengths as they develop a learning community in which they can question, explore, experience, inquire, create and succeed.” Ms. Stargel is a longtime Cobb resident, having attended Clarkdale Elementary, Garrett Middle and South Cobb High schools.

Scott Stephens, Latin teacher at Kell High School, has taught in Cobb for more than two decades. A graduate of Sprayberry High School, Mr. Stephens was inspired to become an educator through positive experiences with his own teachers. As instructor of a language that has existed for thousands of years, he strives for students to understand what they have in common with people who lived 2,000 years ago. “I hear from students that they learn a lot about life in my class. I try to be a person of integrity, and I encourage them to be the same. I know from experience that the least likely kid may choose me as a role model, so I have to set an example. My students know that there is always something to laugh about. They also know that, as Vergil said, ‘Labor omnia vincit,’ work conquers all,” said Mr. Stephens. In addition to his role at Kell, Stephens is involved with Resurgens, an association of Latin teachers from across the metro Atlanta area, and sponsors the Junior Classical League.

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 after the start of the school year.

Click here for a complete list of individual school Teachers of the Year

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