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Central Georgia educators excited about state's bonus announcement

The Department of Education announced all K-12 teachers in public schools across the state will get a bonus next month.

MACON, Ga. — On Thursday, Bibb County Schools Superintendent Curtis Jones says a chunk of his staff members got a much-deserved thank you from the state and Governor Brian Kemp.

"When we meet with him as a superintendents roundtable, he listens. We told them the teacher morale was suffering because of this, they wanna have kids in school, but they also wanna be safe, and we asked him to give teachers a shoutout," says Jones.

In a release, the state says K-12 public school teachers will get a $1,000 bonus next month. Jones says this does not include two groups.

"Central office is important as well, so I'm gonna have to decide what do I do about those individuals as well as some pre-K teachers who we don't think, will not receive the $1,000," he says.

For educators like Kelly Tucker, who teaches algebra at Peach County High School, the bonus is the perfect way to give back to her class.

"We're just gonna turn around and use that for the students. They're worried about having the Kleenex and the tissues and the mask and things like that," says Tucker.

She says it just adds to the list of reasons she enjoys teaching her students, as Peach County continues with in-person learning.

"I like to encourage them every day when I see them. I let them know that I'm glad to see them with us at school. Of course, we teach the content, I try to include some activities that are fun for them, and of course, we have lots of rewards," she says.

Tucker says as the pandemic persists, her students and recognition make her job that much better. 

The state says the bonuses will be paid out in mid-February.

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