Paul J. Blackwell Learning Center is home to both the 2023 Elbert County School District Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year after teacher Christy Jones and Family Partner Liaison/Receptionist Jennifer Downer were awarded the honors during Monday night’s Elbert County Board of Education (BOE) meeting.
“Christy Jones has been with the Elbert County School System for 19 years and 16 of those years have been in Pre-K. If you’ve ever had a chance to visit her classroom, you’ve seen her love, dedication, motivation and her excellent teaching skills,” Paul J. Blackwell principal Audrey Johnson said during the meeting. “Jennifer Downer is the face of Paul J. Blackwell Pre-K. She is the first person that you’re going to see when you walk in the door. She’s going to greet you with a smile and a song if you’re lucky or maybe even a dance. She goes above and beyond to make sure our students and their families have everything they need to make sure that their child is successful in Pre-K.”
In addition to the two district winners, the BOE also recognized the classified and certified employees-of-the year for each individual school or department.
Classified employees of the year winners include Brooke Johnson of Elbert County Primary School (ECPS) , Britley Baston of Elbert County Elementary School (ECES), Tracey Hood of Elbert County Middle School (ECMS), Lynda Farmer of Elbert County Comprehensive High School (ECCHS), Suann Baker from the BOE office, Brenda Barger for School Nutrition and Clint Webb for the Transportation Department.
Teachers of the year winners include Ashley Mills of ECPS, Sadie McIntosh of ECES, Chrystal Thomas of ECMS and Cherish Ingram of ECCHS.
Following the recognitions, the board unanimously approved the guaranteed maximum price of $1,098,000 from Headley Construction Corporation for the construction of eight tennis courts at ECMS to be funded from the 2021 education special purpose local option sales tax.
Superintendent Jon Jarvis said the price does not include lights.