Staley, a Harlem native, serves on her school’s instructional leadership team and is a cheerleading coach. She said she’s proud of showing up and supporting her students during the 12 years she’s taught in Richmond County.

“The moment that I can unlock something that a student was struggling with, that’s the most rewarding part of my job,” Staley reported in an interview with The Augusta Chronicle.

At Euchee Creek Elementary, Purvis, a McDuffie County native, brings more than two decades of teaching experience into her classroom. Receiving Teacher of the Year for Columbia County, she said, is humbling. “It’s definitely an honor to be recognized, but it’s a strange feeling to me because I don’t feel like I did anything different than what I normally do,” she said. “You do what you do every day as a teacher, never looking to get any recognition or accolades.”

Dean Judi Wilson of Augusta University praised the accomplishments of Staley and Purvis. “Both individuals represent our institutional values and are true difference-makers. We often say that doctors save lives, but teachers change lives,” Wilson said. “That is certainly evident in the stories of impact their K-12 students share. These two educators are genuinely touching the future — one child at a time.”

The Teacher of the Year awards honor Georgia educators who demonstrate teaching excellence. Each state school district’s honorees move on to the Georgia State Teacher of the Year competition, where one teacher will be selected as the winner next spring.