First grade teacher Christine Ross (left) helps Brielle Timmons and Dadmawi Mesay with a math problem during class at Centerville Elementary School in Snellville on Friday, January 22, 2016.
January 22, 2016 Snellville – First grade teacher Christine Ross (left) helps Brielle Timmons and Dadmawi Mesay with a math problem during class at Centerville Elementary School in Snellville on Friday, January 22, 2016. Gov. Nathan Deal recently referenced in his state of the state address Gwinnett’s school system as one of the first in Georgia to implement a teacher compensation system based on merit — pay teachers based on how well students perform on standardized tests and other academic measures. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL