ATLANTA -- Governor Nathan Deal announced on Tuesday that 58 educators of Georgia schools have earned the "Master Teacher" certification. 

The certification is based on how each teacher demonstrated excellence in student achievement and growth across the 2013 academic year, reported a spokesperson from the Governor's office. 

The "Master Teacher" program began in 2005 with the help of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. A Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) measured classroom performance and academic growth, along with the teachers' professional practice. 

The "Master Teacher" certification lasts seven years, and as long as they qualify, teachers can renew their certificates. 

Kelly Henson, Executive Secretary for the Georgia Professional Standards Commission said, "The 2013 Master Teachers join a group of Georgia's highly skilled and dedicated educators who share a passion for teaching and student learning." 

ATLANTA -- Transportation organizations throughout Atlanta are joining forces for one week while they encourage Atlanta commuters to take public transportation rather than drive. 

The Dump the Pump program, according to a spokesman for The Clean Air Campaign, MARTA and GRTA said the initiative was designed to help relieve stress that commuters take on when they drive alone and pay for gas. 

Dump the Pump runs from Monday, June 17 - Friday, June 21. Those behind the event hope to raise awareness of transportation options throughout the region, which can help local residents save money and avoid worrying about changing gas prices. 

Each year, the spokesman said, an Atlanta commuter spends an average of 51 hours sitting in traffic and $4,000 on commute costs, about $16 per day in gas and auto expenses. 

ATLANTA -- National Weather Service survey crews said EF-1 two tornadoes hit parts of Cherokee, Cobb and Fulton counties Thursday night.

According to the National Weather Service, an EF-1 tornado with winds of up to 105 mph touched down four miles west-northwest of Canton at about 7 p.m., near the intersection of Patriot Trail and Rampley Trail, before moving through Canton causing plenty of tree damage. 

They said a Chevron gas station at Marietta Road and Hickory Flat Highway had a portion of its roof peeled away and a gas pump blown over. Along Hickory Flat Highway, hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted.

The tornado then headed to the south-southeast, causing additional tree damage along its 8.5 mile path, before lifting again near the intersection of New Light Road and Hickory Road, about five miles south-southeast of Canton.