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OC new teachers
There are 26 new teachers and staff members in Oglethorpe County’s schools this fall. They are:
OCPS
- Michele Bell, kindergarten
- Karen Brill, special education
- Misty Costello, special education
- Allison Dry, support teacher
- Julie Malone, first grade
- Samantha Mathe, special education
- Jennifer Noell, special education
OCES
- Michaela Burgess, fourth grade
- Josh Duggan, special education
- Gillian Jones, special education
- Darcy Nunn, third grade
- Sydney Petty, fifth grade
OCMS
- Mary Helen Brewer, paraprofessional
- Lauren Ellis, social studies
- Mara Hardy, ELA
- Leanne Moncrief, math
- Annie Murphy, counselor
- Colquitt Slover, connections teacher
- Katherine Throne, Agriculture/FFA advisor
OCHS
- Samuel Gregory, math
- Olivia McClain, math/ESOL
- Michelle Mickens, English
- Lauren Smith, special education
- Ean Sonnier, AP/career and technical director
- Holli Stouffer, social studies/instructional coach
- Morgan Tate, social studies
Oglethorpe County schools introduced 26 new teachers and staff members this year. Four of them discussed their strategies and personal goals for this year with The Oglethorpe Echo.
These answers have been edited for content and clarity.
Annie Murphy, OCMS counselor
Q: How do you feel that kind of experience of being from a small town really benefits you with your career here?
A: I can firsthand relate to a lot of the ways the students grew up and their values. And just kind of what their perspective and outlook is. I can draw from that experience.
Q: Is there a specific reason that you're working with middle schoolers?
A: I love middle school. I think they’re so fun and they’re at such a fun age because they’re trying to figure out who they are and develop that identity, but they’re also still kind of young, so they still need nurturing.
Q: How do you feel you can motivate students?
A: Recognizing their innate value and communicating that verbally, in the way that I act and the way that I treat them. I think, for me, that's a really great way to motivate, kind of like; “Oh, this person truly sees me and values me, I'm not just like another little person kind of running through the schools. Somebody sees me.”
Q: How do you feel like your love for travel has influenced you with who you are as a person?
A: So traveling, I get to see how people all across the world live and experience life, and so it's made me open and understanding to new experiences and new perspectives. And I think that's influenced me as a person because that translates into work, that translates into just social life; not many things rock my boat.
Michele Bell, OCPS kindergarten
Q: How do you put personal influence into your teaching?
A: So, I think we laugh a lot, but we just keep it moving and keep it like, I told my parapros, as long as they're safe and they're learning throughout the day, if we miss a lesson or something. You'll learn in kindergarten. You gotta keep it moving.
Q: How do you like working in such a rural county?
A: It's like a family, and I couldn't wait to get back to teach here. The people are kind here, I feel like I fit in. My plan was always to come back here. When I saw they had a kindergarten opening, I jumped on it.
Q: What do you feel like you've learned as a teacher with three children of various ages?
A: The main thing I've learned is that you're dealing with somebody's baby. And so I think becoming a mom made me much more patient in realizing when I'm talking to parents, maybe to have a softer approach, because it is their baby, which is the most important thing in the world to them.
Q: What do you hope to be your impact with the students?
A: I think just them knowing that I believed in them. And we had a good kindergarten, first-year experience. It's like your first teacher, and I just feel like it is a big part of their education foundation.
Samuel Gregory, OCHS math
Q: What is your main motivation as a teacher?
A: I see a lot of the students here who are the troubled kids. They're not bad kids, but I see the good in all of them. And I think that really motivates me to get up and do my best. Especially because I know a lot of them are doing their best given their several circumstances.
Q: How do you keep your students motivated?
A: Keeping that balance between the positive, ‘Hey, you're doing great,’ but also ‘Here are the expectations placed upon you.’ Kids want to do well, even if they act like they don't. They want to get praised. So that's what I found works best for them.
Q: What do you hope to achieve this school year with the students?
A: Just being that person. I understand them a lot better than they think I do. And I think that kind of gets lost in translation a little bit, that I have been a student before; I've been their age, I know what they're going through. So just really communicating that with them and letting them know, hey, I am here.
Mary Helen Brewer, OCMS paraprofessional
Q: What motivates you as a paraprofessional?
A: Watching a kid who didn't think that they could do something yesterday, and then seeing them the next day when they've achieved that goal, no matter what it is. And seeing the smile on their face or that level of confidence when, you know, grades come out.
Q: How do you feel about the size of the school system and county?
A: I love it. I think it's great. It's like, as the principal calls it, it's a hidden jewel. A lot of people don't realize how awesome this place really is.
Q: What do you feel your love for gardening has taught you?
A: Gardening is like a kid. I mean, if you plant it, you can't just leave it and walk away. So you have to be out there consistently, taking care of it daily.
Q: How are you feeling about being a part of the new school year?
A: It's really cool to be a part of. The people here don't leave the school system. In case you haven't noticed that, they won't just retire. They don't leave. It's not a revolving door here. And the kids see that.