2019-2020 Teacher of the Year

April Balenger is currently a 5^th grade advanced content teacher at Holsenbeck Elementary. Prior to her appointment in Barrow County Public Schools, she worked with Title- One students from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, as well as various educational abilities in Clayton and Henry County. She has been a dynamic and innovative leader in her field for well over two decades. Upon completing her master’s degree in 2000, she recently completed her specialist degree in 2017 from Brenau University.

April has show-cased her strength in content knowledge by leading professional learning classes for fellow teachers. She has used her skills to help others develop their content knowledge using brain based research, as well as relevant and engaging activities.  As a trailblazer, April has brought in new and exciting leadership opportunities for children by establishing and maintaining Jr. Beta Clubs at several of the schools she has worked at. She is an earnest supporter of creating and maintaining an academically challenging and rigorous classroom environment, always holding students and herself to a higher standard. April strives to build meaningful and impactful relationships with her students and coworkers. She believes that education truly transcends outside of the classroom and the learning never stops. By challenging herself every day to learn more and be more, April’s passion for teaching is reflected in the excellence of her students.

April grew up in Beaufort, North Carolina before moving to Atlanta, Georgia in the late 1980s to grow her family and pursue her passion in teaching. When she is not in the classroom, April likes spending time with her two dogs and husband Joe. She is mother to her two children, Christopher and Scarlett. At home, April enjoys working on various art projects, catching up on the Hallmark channel and being involved in community through the Junior League Club and being president of her neighborhood’s Homeowner’s Association. April’s life motto is simple: Sprinkle a little sparkle in every day and be kind.