Dawson County Middle School has another accolade to celebrate with teacher of the year.

Bridges, who teaches sixth-grade language arts, was recognized at the October meeting of the Dawson County Board of Education.

Assistant Principal Nicole LeCave said Bridges represents the middle school's motto for success.

"Her peers describe her as a person who cares about her calling. She cares about her students and their academic achievement," LeCave said. "She's engaging. She's intriguing. She leads with integrity and honesty."

Bridges, who has wanted to be a teacher since she was 13, said she enjoys working at the middle school level.

"I love it here. It is a great school environment," she said. "The kids are so excited and are still passionate about learning. It is great to see the discoveries they make through the learning process."

A graduate of North Georgia College & State University, Bridges is in her fifth year of teaching at the middle school.

Reading comments from colleagues in the school system, Assistant Superintendent Lisa Perry said Bridges "understands and realizes that each student has different needs and works hard to meet the needs of every student."

An external committee of administrators and teachers from neighboring counties chose Bridges for the system honor from among the 2012-2013 teachers of the year at each of the local schools.

The other teachers of the year for 2012-2013 include: Rebecca Wilson, Robinson Elementary; Felicia Stephens, Black's Mill Elementary; Beth Murray, Riverview Elementary; Melanie Spooner, Kilough Elementary; Cassie Tallant, Riverview Middle; and Anne Hyams, Dawson County High.

Perry said the decision to pick the overall teacher of the year is always a difficult task for the committee.

"They always express to me how very impressed they are with the caliber of teachers that we have here," she said. "Sometimes they threaten to steal my teachers, but they've never done it yet."

As the system's top teacher for 2012-2013, Bridges will represent it in the contest for Georgia Teacher of the Year the spring.