The Atlanta Public Schools APyeS Awards Gala honored teachers, principals, counsellors, and parents for their contributions to the APS community. The district gathered to celebrate its educators and staff members on Nov.12 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta. Honorees included Principal of the Year Forestella Taylor, who served as principal at Finch Elementary School before taking over as interim principal of Douglass High School in October. Jayla Bailey, a math teacher at Sylvan Hills Middle School, is the APS Teacher of the Year. 

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Lindsay Ruhl

Teacher of the Year Jayla Bailey stands with Superintendent Dr.Lisa Herring and Atlanta Board of Education members Jason Esteves and Eshe Collins. Bailey is an eighth grade math teacher at Sylvan Hills Middle School. “Being an educator is everything I’ve ever wanted to do," Bailey said. "Inspiring children, inspiring our future is just so fulfilling and so rewarding.”