Retraction and Clarification
The Cobb Voice hereby retracts its prior statement that Jennifer Susko claimed to be a two-time Teacher of the Year. This statement was incorrect and should not have been attributed to Ms. Susko.
The reporting in question relied, in part, on a campaign-related poster that was circulated online and amplified by the Atlanta chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. The poster’s design utilized identical font and formatting for the phrases “Meet Jennifer Susko and hear her priorities” and “Special read-aloud for kids with the Georgia 2020 & 2021 Teacher of the Year,” without clearly distinguishing that the latter referred to a separate individual. The poster did not explicitly state that another person, specifically, the individual recognized as the Georgia 2020 and 2021 Teacher of the Year, would be the one conducting the read-aloud for children, which contributed to the misinterpretation.
For clarity, the individual identified as Georgia’s 2020 and 2021 Teacher of the Year is a different person who attended the referenced Smyrna event and participated in reading to children. The event details, including date and time, as well as the description of the Teacher of the Year selection process, were otherwise reported accurately.
The CobbVoice regrets the error and apologizes to Ms. Susko and its readers.
Original Article
A claim by Cobb County school board candidate Jennifer Susko that she was named Georgia Teacher of the Year in both 2020 and 2021 is drawing questions based on available public records and the structure of the state’s award program.
Susko, a former Cobb County school counselor, is featured in a Reddit a post that states “Meet Jennifer Susko and hear her priorities, Special read-aloud for kids with Georgia 2020 & 2021 Teacher of the year, connect with neighbors & build community.” the post clearly implies that Susko is a former teacher of the year and will be reading to children at the event.
The post was made by Yelhsatrah u/slow_art2369 a Reddit account also attributed to many posts promoting the Cobb branch of the Atlanta Chapter of the Democratic Socialist of America.
View the Reddit post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Smyrna/s/U4KSqH0TU6
This statement is false. According to the Georgia Department of Education, the Teacher of the Year program requires candidates to first be selected at the school and district levels before advancing to the state competition. The recognition is limited to full-time classroom teachers who provide direct instruction. At the time, school counselors were not eligible.
In Cobb County, local Teachers of the Year are also recognized with handprints at Glover Park on the Marietta Square, creating a public record of honorees.
A review of the handprints does not show Susko’s name in any year.
Pics of handprint for teacher of the year below
Some observers have suggested Susko may have been referring to recognition from a smaller professional organization for school counselors. She appears to have been involved in founding a Smyrna-based group that presents awards in that field.
Susko has scheduled a campaign event for April 19 at 4 p.m. at the Taylor-Brawner Park pavilion in Smyrna. According to her campaign, she plans to read books and take questions.
Sources & Public Records
• Georgia Department of Education – Teacher of the Year Program
• Georgia state archival record (2000 Cobb County Teacher of the Year – James W. Morris Jr.)
