Danielle Costarides, NAHS Teacher, Wins High School Teacher of the Year Award

Danielle Costarides, a longtime history teacher at North Atlanta High School, has been named Teacher of the Year. Costarides, who has taught at North Atlanta for all 13 years of her teaching career, was nominated from the school’s faculty and staff.  The annual North Atlanta Teacher of the Year award is meant to highlight those teachers who combine ongoing dedication with pedagogical excellence.

“In short, it means they have a heart for teaching and they know how to teach,” said Vice Principal Curtis Douglas. “And in picking Ms. Costarides, our faculty and staff certainly chose a very worthy recipient.”

Her drive that compels her to continue in her career, she said, is working with students who are interested in learning. And whether she’s teaching world history or speaking about contemporary geopolitical forces in classes like IB History of the Americas and American History, she makes sure the focus on student development. “I often say to them, ‘Think!’” she said. “I think they get tired of me saying that to them but it’s true. I’m their teacher, but their very best teacher is always going to be the teacher within them.”

Students – those who like to think, that is – say they flourish in a classroom with such a thought-provoking and thought-inducing teacher. “She’s made history a lot more clear to men and she really has made me want to dig in even more into the topic,” said Joshua Hollis, a junior. “If being a teacher of the year means you really know how to teach, then Ms. Costarides really was a good choice.”

After winning the Teacher of the Year Award at North Atlanta, Costarides went on to win Teacher of the Year in the North Cluster. From the North Cluster, Costarides was nominated as High School Teacher of the Year and won that as well. Finally, Costarides was nominated for APS Teacher of the Year, but lost to Rita Simmons, a teacher from Cleveland Avenue Elementary.

 Though flattered, Costarides says she thoroughly enjoys teaching, but says that she never entered her profession with any thought of receiving awards. “I didn’t become a teacher to be in the spotlight,” she said. “My interest all along has been in seeing my students grow and develop.”
In the October 25 episode of 11 Stories, Costarides’ journey was covered.