Pickens High School - Lisa Stancil Duckett

Parlaying her love of science into a teaching career, Lisa Stancil Duckett always knew science and education would be a part of her life.
"I wanted to be an astronaut as a kid," the Pickens High School science department chair said. "I've always been interested in science."
Duckett has spent the past 28 years imparting her love and knowledge of science to students through her biology and zoology classes at the high school. From sponges and mammals to dissecting sharks, Duckett said she enjoys introducing students to new things through her curriculum and encourages hands-on learning. She taught seventh grade for 13 years before transferring to PHS in 1995.
Duckett is a graduate of Pickens High School, Young Harris and the University of North Alabama where she received her undergraduate degree in biology. She attained a master's degree in science education from North Georgia and a specialist's degree at West Georgia.
"My three younger sisters and I always knew we would be going to college," Duckett said. "My mother inspired me to get an education and she is the best teacher I ever had."
Duckett said for her the most important part of being a teacher is the chance to be a positive influence in the lives of her students.
"I love teaching and hope that I might have a positive influence on my students," she said. "I had teachers who were a positive influence in my life and I remember how important that was for me. Ms. Mary Jane Griffith was my home economics teacher, and she was so patient with me and let me redo everything. I think students need second chances. They're going to mess up sometimes. I realize that we all make mistakes and need do-over's. Ms. Griffith was a good influence on me, teaching me patience and that's something I've always had."
Duckett said her students make her job easy and joyful.
"We sometimes forget how lucky we are to be in a rural area. We still have a lot of morals here in our small community and a lot of good kids, good salt-of-the-earth kids."
The 14-year high school teaching veteran said she is drawn to disadvantaged students, feeling those are the ones she has the most chance to really help.
"It makes you feel good about where you work and what you do to help those that have a harder time."
Duckett said she was thrilled and humbled to be named teacher of the year for PHS because the field was awash with excellent teachers.
"We have so many excellent teachers here. That's why I consider it such an honor to be selected."

Jasper Middle School - Todd Dobson

Saying the school he works for boasts a great family atmosphere and is full of exceptional teachers willing to help each other out, Jasper Middle School's Teacher of the Year is Todd Dobson.
Overseeing the agricultural science department for JMS and Pickens County Middle School, Dobson teaches over 300 kids each year and said one of the most rewarding parts of his job is exposing kids to things outside of Pickens County, especially travel around the state and country.
"Our philosophy here is based on student opportunity, and with FFA they have a big opportunity to travel," Dobson said. "We had a student recently who won a state competition and went to the national competition in Indianapolis. It was great. The biggest reward I get from teaching is offering students opportunities they otherwise wouldn't have."
Dobson's FFA groups have won countless titles and recognitions through the years, most recently being named the 2009 North Region Area 1 Georgia Chapter of the Year.
The middle school FFA program, which Dobson said works closely with the high school program, introduces sixth, seventh and eighth graders to the field of agriculture, offering detailed study into individual fields and careers from farming and animal work to agricultural accounting and banking.
"We try to hit on all aspects of agriculture from farming to leadership roles," he said.
Dobson's program offers supervised agricultural experiences where students can show pigs, lambs and goats as well as greenhouse projects and floral design.
"The work they do with FFA really teaches these kids a lot of responsibility and that's very important," he said.
Dobson is a Pickens County native, graduating from PHS in 1993 before attending and graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in agriculture education. He also holds a specialist's degree in curriculum and instruction from Piedmont College.

Traci Buckingham - Jasper Elementary

Believing that developing strong students means having a connection with them beyond the classroom, Jasper Elementary teacher Traci Buckingham makes it a point to get to know not only her students but also their families.
Buckingham is based at Jasper Elementary School where she teaches all of the county's elementary-aged students who are learning English as their second language.
"I believe in getting involved with my students' families," Buckingham said. "I make home visits. I think often times that's something we miss in education - the whole family connection. I think the home visits make our students stronger."
Buckingham, a 21-year teaching veteran, said her philosophy with English-language learners is to aim high, teaching on grade level despite the obstacles. According to Buckingham, it takes 5-7 years to become fully proficient in a language and she works hard to ensure her students reach that goal.
"We have to do as much as we can to get them on grade level," she said. "It would be a disservice to them and their peers if we didn't."
Buckingham said she uses both "push-in" and "pull-out" methods for teaching, depending on the size of the class. With larger groups, she pulls students from their regular education classroom, but with smaller groups she goes into the regular classroom to work with the entire class.
Buckingham said many people don't realize the vast amount of vocabulary students absorb every day and, for her and her students, falling behind grade level is simply not an option.
"It's as easy for these students to learn the word 'tome' as it is for them to learn 'book'," she said. "We aim high, and my goal here is to have a child on grade level in three years. How can you master the CRCT if I'm teaching you two to three grade levels below what they'll be tested on? We have to aim high."
Buckingham works hard to blend second language learning techniques with the Georgia Professional Standards that all students are tested on.
"It should be seamless. You should see it all coming together in my classroom. You should never hear my voice as much as you hear my (students). It's important to get them to talk and tell each other what they know. Kids are encouraged to turn to each other and build on each other's knowledge to become stronger learners."
Working with students from kindergarten to fifth grade, Buckingham moves from doing letter sounds to helping groups who use high content level vocabulary. She is responsible for material for six grade levels including science, math and social studies and all the vocabulary that goes along with it. Buckingham said she often asks her students to use a thesaurus to help them stretch their vocabulary. As second language learners often do well with visual cues, she recently used Google Earth to show the differences between urban, rural and suburban areas.
Buckingham said one of the best parts of her job is seeing students who start on the bottom floor with language and progressively develop new skills. She likened her job to the excitement a parent feels when they see their child first put syllables together, then form words, and ultimately string together sentences.
"It's very exciting. You see these kids acquiring language and the power of words is such a powerful thing. That's what we do in here. I really feel it's one of the most powerful jobs anyone can have. You give a child the ability to have a voice and with that they can make friends and function well in our society."
Earlier this year, Buckingham had a student who thanked her for giving her the ability to save her family from harm. According to Buckingham, two drunken men showed up outside the student's house and threatened her father. The mother, who had limited English skills, became frightened and asked her daughter to call 911. The young girl not only called for help, but also translated once police officers arrived.
"She thanked me for helping her learn English so she could help save her family. I said to myself at that moment, 'Wow, what goes on in my room gives students the power to help their family and possibly save lives'." Buckingham believes that teachers should support each other and share knowledge of what works, building better classrooms and better schools.
"As teachers we have to support each other," she said. "We have to figure out how our talents can help other teachers. If I pick from you the very best things you have to offer and you pick up from me the very best techniques I have to offer, then it can do nothing but strengthen our schools and make it a better place for our children."
Buckingham is a graduate of North Georgia College where she majored in French education. She has a master's degree in middle grades education and a specialist's degree in language arts and social studies. She also holds an ESOL (English as a Second Language) endorsement from Berry College.

Tate Elementary School - Hilary Tatum

Perhaps the truest test of a third grade teacher is what is said of her by the group of eight-year-olds she teaches. If that is true, Hilary Tatum should be proud.
"She's a great teacher and really, really nice," said Carlena Youngblood, a student in Tatum's Tate Elementary third grade class. "She makes math fun. It's my favorite subject."
Another third-grader, Evan Jusak, agreed, applauding Tatum for the variety of things they do in class.
"She lets us go to centers and we got to test magnets in science. We used paper clips and stuff. It was fun."
Tatum is a Pickens High School and University of Georgia graduate who has spent her entire career, which spans six years, teaching third graders at Tate Elementary.
"I know everyone says this, but I've always felt called to be a teacher and never wanted to do anything else," Tatum said. "I'm pretty shy around adults until I get to know them, but with children I'm always comfortable and in my element. I really enjoy this grade in particular. It's not hard to get their attention and they love to do centers. I try using as much technology as I can."
Tatum said her sense of humor comes in useful working with third graders because it helps her to really relate to the students.
From multiplication facts to cursive writing, Tatum said she always strives to find fun, inventive ways to teach her students and grow professionally. Tatum gave a nod to her co-workers and administrators who, she said, provide a network of support.
"At Tate we have a very strong trust level as far as what we as teachers find work well for us in the classroom," she said. "And the teachers I work with are a great group and we collaborate well with each other."
Tatum lives in Jasper with her husband Josh and their two-year-old son Jack. The couple is expecting their second child.

Pickens Middle School -- Molly Buchanan

Helping kids learn better and get to know and respect students outside their own peer group is what Pickens County Middle School Counselor Molly Buchanan does every day.
The 25-year teaching veteran said she loves her job and especially enjoys helping students grow their character.
"I love what I do. At this age, the kids are such a hoot," Buchanan said. "I really enjoy working with them and they're young enough to where they'll still listen to you."
From leadership skills and team building to working one-on-one with students with specific needs, Buchanan said she molds her job to meet her students' needs.
"Whatever is needed is what I go and teach. A teacher may tell me she has a group of boys who need help with organizational skills and I'll work with a group of them on how to be more organized, which will hopefully turn into helping them have better grades. I'll go and help them clean out and organize their lockers. Whatever it takes to help them succeed."
A big part of Buchanan's work with students is the ropes course, available as an elective class at PCMS. The course, featuring elements performed across a 25-foot high wire, interjects character education into the students' day.
"For me, it's probably one of the best things I've ever done as a counselor," Buchanan said of the program, now in its 10th year. "The ropes course teaches students to work with everybody in the group, not just their friends. It teaches leadership and self-esteem. In a workplace you have to work with everybody and everybody has to work as a team to be successful and that's what the kids learn."
Randomly selecting students who have requested the course to participate in small group work is a benefit, Buchanan said, because it forces students to get to know each other on a personal level away from their established peer group.
"When these kids work in a group and realize that all of its members must be successful in order for the whole group to be successful, then it helps them build self-esteem and teaches them to work with everyone," she said.
Buchanan said the ropes course helps kids from every walk of life - from the brainiacs to the athletes and all along the student spectrum.
"Some of the elements require balancing on a rope, and all the kids have to pass each other without anyone falling. Some may emerge as leaders in that element, but then we may have another kid who will be the leader in tasks requiring someone who is bigger and stronger. It makes them think outside the box and teaches them not to let the ideas they've always had about people and things prevent you from doing things a different way."
In addition to counseling students, Buchanan also educates parents on topics relating to their children and how to be an effective role model. From wellness and health to computer access, Buchanan works with parents to build strong families.
Buchanan holds a master's degree from the University of Georgia in home economics and a specialist's degree in counseling. She began working for the Pickens County School system in 1984. She is married to Roland Buchanan and they have three children.

Hill City Elementary - Amy Childers

Finding inspiration from her students, Hill City Elementary's Teacher of the Year isn't afraid of trying new things in the classroom, always keeping an eye out for what works best for her kids.
Incorporating as much technology into her students' day as possible, first grade teacher Amy Childers said she loves seeing her kids succeed in all they do and she makes sure they have every opportunity to do just that.
"I want them to know they do matter and that they can succeed," Childers said. "First grade is just a very critical time. With all of our standards, you really have to just dig in deep and get it done."
Childers wanted to teach from a very young age and loves her profession, with each new school year offering different opportunities to make a difference in the life of a child.
"I plan according to each group of students I have," she said. "I start over with my plans every year because every class is different and they need different things."
Last year, Childers' class was comprised of all boys, many of whom had lots of energy. Latching onto an idea she read about, Childers purchased 10 bouncy balls for her class, telling students to use them whenever they needed to release some energy. Childers hoped the movement would help focus the children, enabling them to settle down and learn easily.
"I had one child who kept his foot on that ball all day, but from that day on he completed all of his work and he was paying attention to me," she said. "It got all of his energy out."
Sometimes going against long-standing school rules to benefit her students, Childers said she has gone so far as to pass out gum during the last two hours of the academic day in the hopes that the movement will settle students and allow them to concentrate.
"We did math last year at the end of the day and I passed out gum right before we started. I think they needed that. They worked and chomped, but they worked hard. Boys learn differently than girls do, so last year everything we did was hands-on. We jumped on the floor to add and subtract - it was constant movement and that's what they needed so that's what we did. When I read or hear something, I am willing to try it if it sounds productive. I try to always do different things and see what works."
Childers said she can't imagine doing anything but teaching, saying her calm, patient demeanor is a great benefit. She especially loves working with students in the lower grades, saying they come in and want to know all that you can teach them.
Childers is originally from Chatsworth, graduating from Murray County High School in 1993 and receiving her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from West Georgia College. Childers holds a master's degree in early childhood education from Piedmont College and a specialist's degree in curriculum and instruction. She married Charlie Childers, a PHS graduate, and moved to Pickens County where she has lived for 12 years. The couple has two children, Spencer and Lauren.

Harmony Elementary School - Joe Morgan

For Harmony Elementary School's Teacher of the Year, getting kids excited about learning is the key to being a successful teacher.
A fourth grade social studies teacher, Morgan himself is excited both about what and how he teaches his pupils.
"Teaching social studies is like teaching a big story and the kids love it," he said. "I get to teach them about explorers and adventurers in our history."
Morgan's fourth grade curriculum focuses on American history from ancient civilizations to before the Civil War. He said his students really enjoy the creativity associated with social studies projects, especially the recently completed project on Native Americans.
"I try to do things in the classroom that make them excited about learning and make them happy to come in each day."
Morgan, who has a piano in his classroom, said often his curriculum overlaps with science and the two classes can combine for a fun activity. On a recent Friday, while teaching about storms, Morgan used a favorite tool, music, to bring a concept in a book to life.
"I brought musical equipment in to simulate the sound of a thunderstorm," he said. "I love doing things like that in the classroom and knowing kids enjoy learning. Not long ago one of my student's siblings was being checked out because she was sick and her mother was just going to pick up my student as well, but she refused to go because she hadn't been to my class yet. That always makes you feel like your doing a good thing." Morgan said he loves watching his students grow their knowledge over the year, not only learning American history but also responsibilities and being good citizens through civics.
Morgan is a 1999 graduate of Pickens High School. He received his early childhood degree from Reinhardt College and has taught in local schools for four years, beginning at Hill City before moving to Harmony when it opened in 2006. Teaching runs in his genes: his mother, Sharon, is a teacher at Harmony and his sister recently graduated from Dalton State with an early childhood degree. She teaches in Gordon County.
"My mom has always been a big inspiration for me and my dad always encouraged us to get an education. My mother was my main inspiration, but once I started working as a substitute teacher I saw I had made the right decision. I am so excited about being selected as Harmony's Teacher of the Year because there are so many excellent, veteran teachers here. When they picked me I was very humbled."

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