Two alumni named finalists for Superintendent of the Year

The University of Georgia College of Education is proud to claim two of the four finalists for Georgia's 2016 Superintendent of the Year award as alumni.

Jason Branch, superintendent of Oconee County Schools, and Allen McCannon, superintendent of Madison County Schools, are among the four finalists recently named by the Georgia School Superintendents Association.

Branch (BSED '97, MED '98) came to Oconee County Schools in 2012 after serving in Forsyth County. He has experience working as a teacher, coach and administrator in several Georgia school districts, and also holds specialist and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi.

McCannon (BSED '87, MED '93, EDS '97) has worked for Madison County schools since 1989, and in 2011 was named superintendent. He has experience in many levels, including coach, teacher, principal, associate superintendent and interim superintendent. Prior to coming to Madison County, McCannon taught and coached in Thomaston City Schools.

The nominating committee comprises past Superintendent of the Year winners and reviewed nearly 20 nominations from local boards of education, staff and regional educational service agencies. These four finalists will now compete in the national contest. The winner will be announced in February in Phoenix at the American Association of School Administrators' annual conference.

The 2015 winner was Phil Lanoue, superintendent of Clarke County Schools. Clarke County works with the College of Education as part of the Professional Development School district, a partnership that offers experience for teacher candidates, professional development for current teachers and college classes in local schools.