EDUCATION
Cobb County’s Top Teachers
By Ryan Kolakowski
In his welcome back address to teachers and staff, Cobb Schools
Superintendent Chris Ragsdale recognized the three Teacher of
the Year award winners for 2020.
Darline Douangvilay of City View Elementary School, Michelle
Gottenberg of Mabry Middle School and Beth Foster of Osborne
High School earned the recognition.
In previous years, Ragsdale recognized Teachers of the Year
by surprising them at their respective schools. This year, as
Cobb schools began the academic year remotely because of the
pandemic, Ragsdale made his surprise announcement during a
broadcast address to all district staff.
“I hope these people are watching,” Ragsdale said before announcing
the award winners, “because we obviously didn’t tell
them beforehand.”
School administrators praised the award winners.
City View Assistant Principal Brian Burnaugh lauded
Douangvilay, a fifth grade teacher who previously taught at Riverside
Intermediate School but is now on staff at City View, for her
dedication to students and colleagues.
“Darline has a tireless work ethic and can always be found volunteering
for events and lending a helping hand to her coworkers,”
Burnaugh said. “She is a true servant leader.”
Gottenberg, a seventh grade English language arts teacher and
the Middle School Teacher of the Year, has taught at Mabry for
seven years. Mabry Principal Jonathan Tanner praised Gottenberg
for her engaging content.
“She has an ability to genuinely connect with students,” Tanner
said of Gottenberg. “Her dedication and drive to support the
academic progress of her students and her innovative, creative
lessons truly engage and inspire her students to achieve at higher
levels. She is an amazing asset for our school.”
Osborne Principal Josh Morreale commended Beth Foster for
her reliable and hardworking nature. Foster, the High School
Teacher of the Tear, teaches history, civics and English to Speakers
of Other Languages classes at Osborne.
“Beth is an amazing teacher who consistently strives to improve
not just her teaching but all her interactions with students,” Morreale
said. “She is equally supportive of her coworkers and willing
to help with everything from strategies for completing tasks or
necessary paperwork to giving ideas for classwork and projects.”
Foster said the award is an incredible honor, and she directed
compliments to her students and colleagues.
“I am completely humbled but thrilled to be recognized for my
hard work,” Foster said. “Any recognition belongs just as much to my
students and colleagues at Osborne High School for their inspiration,
encouragement, and support day in and day out. This has been such
a unique experience and something I will cherish as I embrace the
adventures it will bring.”
142 FACTBOOK 2021
Photos Courtesy
of Cobb schools
CCSD Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Darline Douangvilay
Photos Courtesy
of Cobb schools
CCSD Middle School Teacher of the Year
Michelle Gottenberg
Photos Courtesy
of Cobb schools
CCSD High School Teacher of the Year
Beth Foster