Ten Tift County public school teachers were "tapped" this week as recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Award by the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence.
Foundation representatives, school officials, and recipients' family members surprised the educators with the honor at their schools, in their classrooms.
The teachers honored this week were:
Kelly Merritt, Annie Belle Clark Elementary

Eve Rogers, Eighth Street Middle School

Brittany Kicklighter, Eighth Street Middle School

Noelle McCurdy, G O Bailey Elementary

Lisa Delk, Northeast Middle School

Zaronna Hamilton, Northeast Middle School

Paula Evans, Matt Wilson Elementary

Jill Crumley, Northside Elementary

Greta Simmons, Len Lastinger Elementary

Carl Nichols, Tift County High School

The teachers are nominated by a student, parent, peer or administrator.
“This is the 32nd straight year that the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence (TCFEE) has ‘tapped’ exceptional teachers in recognition of their outstanding performance in the classroom," said Laura Cutts, TCFEE executive director. Honoring them is at the heart of the TCFEE’s mission.”
In the three plus decades that the Foundation has been recognizing teachers of excellence in Tift County public schools, 340 educators have been honored.