Sandra Worsham
2000 Inductee
Milledgeville, Georgia
Retired
Total years as a classroom teacher: 30
Career Highlights
Sandra Worsham is a published writer who currently gives seminars and workshops in the teaching of writing.
With a community service grant from Milken, Worsham led students of all ability levels, grades nine through twelve, in a story-gathering project that resulted in a published book entitled Everybody Has a Story to Tell: Stories from Flannery O'Connor's Milledgeville. This 259-page book, professionally printed and bound, contains stories gathered from 110 community members, largely senior citizens, as told to students of Baldwin High School. It is now in its second printing and has been sold throughout the United States. Proceeds are divided evenly between the local Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Worsham started Rain Dance Review, a literary magazine twenty years ago. It is supported by community patrons and publishes the writing of all ability levels of children, including special education students and advanced placement students.
She founded a county-wide writing program which is still in existence today. This program is in the forrn of a contest with many writers. Each classroom in the county has three winners, each of whom get a "Celebrated Writer" certificate. The grade level winners receive a "Celebrated Writer" t-shirt, and the county level winners receive a plaque presented at a school board meeting. The contest culminates when children of all ages read their writing from center stage at the mall all day on a Saturday. In addition, all winners are published in a special supplement in the local newspaper.
- Worsham developed "Helping Circles" where students help one another learn to write better. She presents this teaching concept at seminars across the nation.
"Ms. Worsham has touched many lives, including mine. Leaving her class with the knowledge of her retirement was hard. However, we knew that it was her time to move on. It was not the end, for she would go on helping others see the truth in themselves through writing. Her workshops would help to make teachers better at teaching and reaching out to the students. She most definitely has inspired us all!" -- Geoffrey Terrill Grimes, former student
"Sandra helped our son, who has a learning disability, believe for the first time that he could learn ... That he could read and understand; that he could write and express himself; that he could find a place in the world and be a success...Because of the foundation Sandra helped him build, our son can read a map, street signs, and literature relating to the marketing business in which he works. He can write orders and teach customers how to use the equipment that he sells. He can and does travel throughout the United States meeting people in all walks of life as an equal - in good measure because Sandra Worsham was his teacher." -- Parents of former student
"Ms. Worsham is one of a kind. I was saddened to hear that she was retiring. She's the kind of teacher that I wanted to be around to teach my grandchildren. Today she is still very involved in the community, writing, and being a good role model fora all those who get to know her. She hasn't stopped teaching! The Baldwin County School System is so much better because she gave so many years for our future leaders of America. In a time when we recognize our favorite sports heroes, I am pleased to be able to recommend Ms. Sandra Worsham for the Teacher Hall of Fame Award. She gave over and beyond the call of duty as a teacher, friend, and leader in our county and state." -- Shirley Noles, parent of four former students
"If there is indeed such a person as a 'born teacher,' Sandra Worsham is that person. I have known Sandra for many years - first as her teacher in graduate school and the as her colleague and friend. I don't think that I have ever been prouder of one of my students! Sandra has shown a nearly constant dedication to the teaching of writing and has become nationally acclaimed for her idea of the writers' helping circle and for her work with the writing habits of average students." -- Sarah Gordon, professor of English, Georgia College and State University
"There is not a better example of a teacher than Sandra Worsham." -- Judy Ivey, school board member and parent of former student
"A colleague who sometimes teaches basic-level classes says she always prefers to get kids after they've had Sandra's class because they are so superior in classroom behavior and attitude." -- Claire Shepard, English Department Head, Baldwin High School
"Ms. Worsham is a dedicated, professional, accomplished educator who has earned the respect of her peers and students." -- Gene Trammell, superintendent of schools, Baldwin County
"Ms. Worsham has proven herself an exceptional teacher." -- Lyn Chandler, principal, Baldwin High School
Education
1969 | Education Georgia Southern, Bachelor of Arts in English |
1974 | Georgia College and State University, Master of Education |
1980 | University of Georgia, Education Specialist |
Career Experience
1972-1999 | 9-12 English, At-Risk, Writing, Literacy Magazine, Baldwin County, Milledgeville, Georgia |
1997-99, | Georgia College, part-time |
1976-79 | Georgia Military College, part-time |
1971-72 | 8-12 English, John Milledge Academy |
1969-71 | 8-9 English, 8-9 Spanish, Jones County, Georgia |
Honors/Awards
2002 | Governor's Award in the Humanities |
2001 | ASCD Publication of Essential Ingredients: Recipes for Teaching Writing |
1999 | Georgia Teachers Hall of Fame |
1997 | Selected as presenter for "Seminars for Educational Excellence" |
1992 | Milken National Educator Award |
1992 | Georgia College Alumni Achievement Award |
1990 | Semifinalist, Georgia Teacher of the Year |
1990 | Baldwin County Teacher of the Year |
1982 | Georgia Teacher of the Year |