The NGA Best of the Best is an award that staff and employers of Catoosa, Dade, Gordon, Walker, Whitfield, and Murray county are nominated for. This award honors individuals over 130+ categories for things like art, non-profit organizations, teaching, etc. This year, our very own Mrs. Megan Handy has been nominated for this award by both her peers, her friends, and individuals outside of our school.
“I mean, it came as a surprise,” Handy said in response to her nomination. “I think the way the Best of the Best works is they do a nomination window during November, and then from there, they choose their top five. I’ve won teacher of the year here back in 2018, but never anything this big.”
Handy grew up in Kentucky around a farm, which helped strengthen her love for Agriculture and farming alike. “I’ve always been kind of around a greenhouse, and I did FFA in High School and everything,” Handy said. She decided, while in college, that she wanted to be an Agriculture teacher, and when she finished her degree, she got a job here at Heritage.
“I had applied to all kinds of places back home, and I was getting ready to apply in Washington State when the principal of my college sent me an email, and recommended Heritage,” Handy said. She got her Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University, finished her Masters online at Auburn University, and got her EDS from Kennesaw. She finished everything up by 2020 and, as of now, is back in school to gain her PhD.
Her students favor her teaching the most, because of Heritage’s own greenhouse. Almost everyday, she takes her students outside to the greenhouse for a hands-on experience. It truly helps students see the fruits of their labor, and helps teach students at Heritage that hard work truly pays off.
“It feels like a safe space for me, the environment she creates is really welcoming and I feel at peace whenever I’m there,” sophomore Natalyn McCormack said, a student in Handy’s Agriculture class. Handy is one of the most hardworking teachers here, whether it’s in the greenhouse or in her classroom. She’s very down to earth with the students, and overall, she’s incredibly deserving of this award. The winner will be announced in mid-March, so this gives us generals plenty of time to support our favorite (and only) Agricultural teacher while we wait.
