A Westpoint grad, Chapman says Tibbetts has been an active member of GAE for close to 11 years and he truly understands the challenges faced by our teachers and the educational support professionals that aid them. “John will be an outstanding representative for the teaching profession in Georgia because he will ‘tell it like he sees it.’ He will be a champion for public education because he understands what it means to have great teachers and schools. He knows firsthand how that translates into opportunities for our children to make a positive difference in our global society.
Once again, congratulations to John and his family on receiving such an honor from the state. It is well deserved.”
Tibbetts says it was an absolutely amazing feeling when he heard his named called at the banquet where the winner was announced. “There were nine other teachers that were finalists that were just absolutely tremendous teachers and to have been chosen among that group, much less the district teachers of the years that were also in attendance, it is a very, very humbling experience.” Chapman and Chris Baumann, GAE Executive Director, were in attendance for the announcement.
During his 21 years as an officer in the in the military, he was stationed overseas for more than five years, including service in Desert Storm, Turkey, and Afghanistan. After his tours he ultimately decided to pursue a teaching career– first at Tift County High School and later at Worth County High, where he currently teaches economics.
In his statement to GaDOE he says “As much as any subject taught in high school, economics is part of the very fabric of our daily lives and relevant to what is currently ongoing in the world around us,” he wrote in his Teacher of the Year application. “Teaching economics provides the opportunity to affect our students’ livelihoods, quality of life, and their futures.” He also stated that empathy, patience, and a pinch of stubbornness, as well as a healthy sense of humor were the traits possessed by great teachers
Tibbetts holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Military Art and Science, Operational Art from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies. He has served as a presenter at the National Council for History Education (NCHE) National Convention and the NCHE History Colloquium, and is a Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (TAPP) Mentor at Worth County High School. In his time away from school, he is active in his church and is a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) certified wrestling referee. He also currently serves as treasurer of the Worth County Education Association.
The Georgia Teacher of the Year represents Georgia teachers by speaking to the public about the teaching profession and potentially conducting workshops and programs for educators.
