Georgia Master Teachers School Systems

School Systems

The 2005 Georgia General Assembly passed legislation (Ga. Code Section 20-2-204) that authorizes the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) to establish the Georgia Master Teacher Certification Program. The legislation specified that the Georgia Master Teacher Certification program’s purpose is to provide statewide recognition to public school certified teachers who consistently demonstrate excellence in the classroom based on gains in student achievement.

The PSC web site provides information regarding the criteria, process and procedures, and timelines for teachers and Instructional Coaches interested in applying. The Georgia Master Teacher Certification program application period opens November 1, 2007, and closes March 7, 2008.

The process begins at the local school/system level and involves school officials and central office leaders in validating evidence requested in the Georgia Master Teacher Certification Application. Please review Local System Management Plan and Section IV: Application Verification on the left side of the download menu. The links provide guidance for completing and/or validating the Georgia Master Teacher Certification Application. All documents associated with the Georgia Master Teacher Certification are located at this web site.

Consultants from each RESA and select local system personnel and association representatives have been trained to re-deliver the instructions and guidance for the Local System Management Plan and the process for application and electronic submission of data. Check with your RESA for scheduled dates for the training re-delivery.

CRITICAL NOTE:

Local systems, school principals, and/or individual applicants will no longer be contacted for incorrect or missing items in the application.

In order for the application to be marked complete and sent forward for review the following MUST be present:

All student ID numbers must be correct (the FTE number used for GA DOE reporting);
All signatures must be on the verification page;
All items on the verification page must be marked and must be marked under the "YES" column;
All students must be included on the rosters;
Classes must represent a full day (exception: academic coach that must apply both as classroom teacher and instructional coach applicant)
All classes must have rosters for each class and all required templates/evidence listed in the lables and uploads documents;
All classes assigned must be state approved curriculum courses that are alligned to national and/or state standards.