Commissioner : Gregory C. Dozier

Director of Public Affairs : Joan Heath

Edward “Eddie” McKie recognized

FORSYTH, Ga. –  The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) honored Edward “Eddie” McKie of Wilcox State Prison as Vocational Teacher of the Year at the 14th Annual GDC Awards ceremony on June 19 at GDC headquarters in Forsyth, Ga.

Several key officials were on hand for the ceremony, which was attended by more than 200 guests. Making the award presentation with Commissioner Greg Dozier was Chief of Staff Timothy C. Ward, Assistant Commissioners Ricky Myrick, Scott Poitevint, Jay Sanders, Randy Sauls, and Assistant Director of Professional Development Tim Williams and Director of Professional Standards Clay Nix.

“Mr. McKie uses his passion and talents for teaching and agriculture to give offenders not only an employable skill, but also an opportunity,” said Assistant Commissioner of Inmate Services Jay Sanders. “He is a motivated instructor who has used his skills to better their environment.”

In McKie’s Horticulture program, 17 offenders earned Horticulture certificates through Wiregrass Technical College program at Wilcox State Prison in 2017 and 12 more are on track to earn certificates in 2018.

The award recognizes a University System of Georgia (USG) or Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) teacher, or any other partner institution employee. The recipient must be a full-time or part-time teacher who inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, has the respect and admiration of students, facility staff, and colleagues, plays an active and useful role in the facility, as well as in the school, and is poised and articulate and possesses the energy to withstand a demanding schedule.

About the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC)

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 52,000 state prisoners. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 10,500 employees. For more information on the GDC, call 478-992-5247 or visit https://gdc.georgia.gov.