Georgia Teacher Named
1999 National Teacher of the Year

US President Clinton recongized Andy Baumgartner, a career teacher, the parent of a learning-disabled child, and a male teaching kindergarten students as the 1999 National Teacher of the Year, on Monday April 19, 1999 at a special White House ceremony.

The ceremony also recognizes the 1999 State Teachers of the Year.

Mr. Baumgartner was selected by the oldest and most prestigious awards program to focus on public attention on teaching excellence, and which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO)and Scholastic Inc., the world's largest publisher of educational materials for children and young adults.

Mr. Baumgartner has 23 years teaching experience, all in Georgia and is the first honoree to represent the state.

He was born in Anniston, AL and raised in Hickory, NC and Macon and Savannah, GA. He began his career as a Kindergarten through twelfth-grade speech therapist; he changed to teaching upon receiving his Masters degree two years later.

Mr. Baumgartner's thoughts on teaching can be summed up with his statement:

"The biggest kick in teaching comes when I look into the face of a young child and watch confusion turn to concentration, concentration to surprise and, finally, surprise into the pride of accomplishment."