Ashlee Mitchell, a speech-language pathologist at Stilson Elementary School, is the 2012 Bulloch County Schools Teacher of the Year.

Mitchell learned of her selection Friday as Superintendent Lewis Holloway, Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Chairman Dennis Key and school administrators surprised her in her classroom Friday.

"We are privileged to have a teacher of Mrs. Mitchell's caliber on staff, and she is dedicated to all our students," said Stilson Principal Eileen Bayens.

Mitchell was selected from 15 nominees submitted by each school, who were judged by a group of community leaders from the Chamber of Commerce's Education Committee. The judges did not know the teachers' names, but reviewed them objectively based on the nominees' teacher certifications, commitment to the teaching field, evidence of respect from students, parents and peers, and their activities in the school and community.

"I decided to become a speech-language pathologist when I was 15 years old," Mitchell said.

The inspiration for her chosen career path came when she spent a week working in an early childhood special education classroom where she had the opportunity to observe speech therapy sessions with students.

"Never previously seeing basic communication as an important, life-altering human need, I watched these students be unable to complete simple communication tasks that were effortless for me, and I realized that this was an area where I could positively impact the lives of not only children but also families and society as a whole," Mitchell said.

Having many options open to her in the field, Mitchell decided to become a school-based SLP during winter break of her sophomore year of college.

"I was home on break, and my grandmother found me in the midst of a grand mal seizure, that led us to discover that I had a cancerous brain tumor," Mitchell said.
During the long months of pre-surgery preparation, a craniotomy, extensive radiation and recovery, school became a symbol of normalcy that she craved and to which she longed to return.

"From those moments I recognized that school was destined to be my sanctuary for life, and I resolved to create a classroom for students that would provide them normalcy, safety and respect," Mitchell said.

She has accomplished that during her nine year career at Stilson where she serves both the school and community. As a cancer survivor, she spearheads Stilson's Relay for Life efforts each year.

"She is open about her experience and encourages each of us to live a health lifestyle and have periodic exams," said Bayens.

Mitchell's enthusiasm for the charitable cause helped Stilson, one of the county's smallest schools, raise nearly $7,000, winning them the event's School Division Award and recognition as the event's fifth highest fundraiser out of the 102 teams registered.

Mitchell will compete at the state-level teacher of the year competition with educators selected from each of Georgia's 159 school districts. A panel of educators will select 10 finalists and conduct site visits and interviews with the final candidates in March.

Their selection will be revealed at a special luncheon in Atlanta in May. Should Mitchell be selected as Georgia's Teacher of the Year, she would begin serving as a traveling ambassador for public education in June, and be our state's nominee for the 2012 National Teacher of the Year competition.

"The Statesboro Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate all 15 nominees for their exemplary service to our community, and as for Mrs. Mitchell, we especially want to hold her achievement in the highest regard," said Chamber of Commerce Education Chairman Dennis Key. "We wish her well as she represents Bulloch County in the state competition," Key added.

Mitchell is a 1999 graduate of Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., with a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology. She also holds a master's degree in her field from Marquette University. She is an active member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Mitchell succeeds 2011 Teacher of the Year Tanita Peak of Brooklet Elementary School.