Thursday, December 11, 2025–10:35 a.m.
-News Release-
Troyanna “Troy” Foster, Adult Basic Education (ABE) instructor for Adult Education in Floyd County, was named Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) Adult Education Teacher of the Year for 2026.
“Adult Education makes what seems impossible possible,” Foster said. “I take pride in helping students celebrate each small win until they have graduated with their High School Equivalency (HSE), giving themselves a chance at a better life.”
Foster will be recognized as GNTC’s Adult Education Teacher of the Year at the 2026 Dinah Culbreath Wayne EAGLE (Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education) Leadership Institute state competition on March 9-11, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. One instructor from Georgia’s 22 technical colleges will be selected as the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) Office of Adult Education Outstanding Teacher of the Year during a special recognition dinner.
“Troyanna sets a standard of teaching excellence for others to follow,” Lisa Shaw, vice president of Adult Education at GNTC, said. “Observing her in the classroom as she engages her students with compassion reveals her deep commitment to their success.”
Foster said her passion for helping others led her to become an Adult Education teacher.
“Troyanna continually seeks innovative ways to motivate, challenge, and inspire her students, always keeping their success in mind,” Shaw said. “She strives to bring out the best not only in her students, but also in her colleagues. Troyanna is dedicated to the mission of Adult Education and continues to make a meaningful impact on her community, GNTC, and the workforce of Georgia.”
Adult Education gives students hope for the future and enables them to fulfill their educational and career goals, Foster said.
Adult Education also provides great value to the State of Georgia by helping students gain credentials, be job ready and earn higher wages. It also helps boost literacy, lowers the unemployment rate, and provides workers with greater job security and financial stability.
Foster has 11 years of teaching experience, including three in her current position at GNTC.
The mission of GNTC’s Adult Education program is to enable every adult learner in the service delivery area to acquire the necessary basic skills to be able to compete successfully in today’s workplace, strengthen family foundations, and exercise full citizenship.
The Adult Education program offers instruction in Adult Learning Centers throughout GNTC’s nine-county service area. Instructional areas include preparation for the Georgia High School Equivalency (the GED® test or the HiSET® exam), Adult Secondary Education, Adult Basic Education, and English as a Second Language. Centers have modern computer labs, study materials, resources, and professional staff for both day and evening programs. Distance Learning options are also available.
Classes operate year-round and are offered at no cost. GNTC is an official GED® Testing Center and a site for computer-based GED® Testing in partnership with Pearson VUE, GED® Testing Services, and the Technical College System of Georgia. For more information, contact GNTC’s Office of Adult Education at 706-295-6976.
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