Finalists for the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year is Georgia Southern alumnae Inga Cashon

One of ten finalists for the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year is Georgia Southern alumnae Inga Cashon. Cashon is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teacher at North Tattnall Middle School. In 2020, she received the Georgia STEM Scholar Award for her hard work integrating effective STEM education in the classroom.

Cashon credits the faculty and staff at the College of Education (COE) for supporting her success, with an emphasis on one COE professor in particular. She says, “There are so many professors that have contributed to my success, but Dr. Nathaniel Creighton Alexander, who passed away in September 2020, was the most influential in me becoming a teacher. He was not only a mentor to his students, but cared about our successes and educational achievements.”

Cashon has completed all of her higher education with COE at Georgia Southern. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) with an emphasis in technology education, and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis in engineering and technology education. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum Studies, focusing on engineering and technology education.

When asked to give advice for new teachers, Cashon says, “Remember to stay passionate, and let your passion for education inspire both your students and you.”