Katie Blum, a 2nd grade teacher at Sugar Hill Elementary School and Gwinnett County Public Schools’ 2021 Teacher of the Year, has been named a finalist for the 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year honor. Blum is one of 10 finalists chosen from a pool of applicants who all previously were selected as their school district’s Teacher of the Year. A panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners, state and local administrators, community leaders, and others selected the 10 finalists based on the strength of their application responses. 

Blum is humbled by the honor. “I was shocked when I found out the news,” Blum said. “It feels very surreal, and I am just soaking in all of the joy. I am so incredibly grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I soon will begin preparing for the upcoming state interviews, speeches, and final evaluations. But most importantly, I’m praying that God uses me to shine a positive light on education, Sugar Hill Elementary, Gwinnett County, and above all else, my past and present students.”

The finalists will meet with a panel of judges this month to participate in formal interviews. This year’s state winner will be announced on April 30, 2022. The 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year will serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession in Georgia and will compete for the National Teacher of the Year title.