GMC News
GMC Prep Names Teacher and Character Educator of the Year
Georgia Military College 2018-2019 Teacher and Character Educator of the Year
Georgia Military College Prep School has named Emily Boylan Teacher of the Year, and Debbie Barsby Character Educator of the Year for 2018-2019. Both Boylan and Barsby have had impactful careers at Georgia Military College Prep School. Boylan, a 9th-grade Biology and 11th-grade AP Biology teacher and Assistant Raiders Coach, came to GMC Prep School in 2006. Barsby, 6th-grade Math teacher and Head Cross Country Coach, has been at GMC Prep since 2010.
Boylan graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and Social Behavior. She went on to earn a Master’s degree from Georgia College for teaching Biology, and later earned certification for teaching middle school social studies. She began her teaching career at St. Stephens, teaching preschool for three years while both of her sons were toddlers. She went on to teach Life Science and Social Studies in Jones County, before coming to GMC Prep School in 2006 to teach 6th-grade Earth Science. She started the Odyssey of the Mind program for middle and high schoolers, ending the program in 2012 with the high school placing 2nd at World Finals, and earning the highly coveted Ranatra Fusca Award for Exceptional Risk Taking and Ingenuity. Boylan says she loves being a part of the GMC family.
“As a teacher, my main goals are to foster moral principles, and to nurture students’ desire to learn and how to learn,” Boylan said. “I’m extremely grateful to be recognized as the Teacher of the Year, but truly each teacher at GMC, in my view, is a Teacher of the Year because each of us are so passionate about what we teach and we strive to build character virtues in our students. My colleagues motivate and inspire me daily. I’m in awe of them for not only what they do in the classroom, but more so what they do for our students outside of the classroom.”
Georgia Military College Prep School Principal, Colonel Pamela Grant, says Boylan is the epitome of what a Teacher of the Year should be.
“Emily Boylan is a master teacher who epitomizes all that the phrase implies,” Grant said. “She is caring, engaging, and supportive, while setting high expectations for all her students. We are so blessed to have her as a member of the GMC Prep family.”
Barsby grew up in Griffin, Ga. and Colorado Springs, Co. She attended Trevecca Nazarene University, and graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor’s degree in Math and Computer Science Education. She later earned a Master’s degree from Georgia College in Middle Grades Math Education. She has been teaching for 23 years, serving in Putnam and Baldwin County, and now at GMC Prep School for the last nine years. Barsby says her favorite thing about teaching at GMC Prep is being able to help students and athletes reach their highest potential. She says her goal as a teacher is to “be helpful, patient, and loving to each one of them.”
“I know how many wonderful teachers we have here at GMC Prep School and how hard everyone works while maintaining a positive attitude every day, so I was very surprised and humbled to be chosen to receive this honor,” Barsby said. “I have always felt supported as a teacher and coach by our administration. My two children also attend GMC Prep and I see how well-educated they are becoming and how each teacher provides them with the tools to grow academically, as well as personally. I’m proud to one of the people that do that for our students.”
Command Sergeant Major Steven Greer, Associate Principal at Georgia Military College Prep School, says Barsby is always willing to help, and is a great asset to GMC Prep.
“Major Barsby continuously represents our motto, ‘Character Above All,’ in and out of the classroom,” said Greer. “Her infectious kindness, willingness to assist others in need, and desire to uphold our high standards, is without equal.”
Both Boylan and Barsby were recognized at Georgia Military College’s Academic Honors Parade on April 11, 2019. Congratulations to both Emily Boylan for being named Georgia Military College Prep School’s 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year, and Debbie Barsby being named 2018-2019 Character Educator of the Year!
