THOMSON – Rebekah Burnside, a business computer science teacher at Thomson High, has received the golden apple trophy as the McDuffie County School System Teacher of the Year.
Burnside, an educator for 19 years including the past 10 at Thomson, received the award during an October 17 ceremony in the Thomson High School auditorium, according to a news release from the McDuffie County school system.
In addition to her teaching role, Burnside coaches the FIRST Robotics team and serves as an adviser for both Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and the school yearbook. Recognizing the importance of real-world experiences, Burnside strives to integrate activities outside the classroom. She believes that field trips and hands-on projects provide invaluable perspectives for students who may not have many opportunities beyond their hometown.
“Where I can, I give authentic experiences so they’re prepared when they leave Thomson
High School, or even while they’re here and have jobs outside,” she said. “They’re gaining those real world skills. I want them to know that they can be successful in whatever career they choose.”
Burnside will now move on to represent McDuffie County in the Georgia Teacher of the Year
program.
Augusta Good News is an award-winning member of the Georgia Press Association. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.
