LUDOWICI -- Long County High School named Melinda Chancey Teacher of the Year this past week.
The science teacher has been at the high school for six years, and has been teaching for a total of eight years.
"Mrs. Chancey is one of the most complete science teachers in the entire southeastern area of Georgia," LCHS Principal Dr. Delores Mallard said.
In addition to teaching, Chancey is the science department chairperson, and according to Mallard, "Under her leadership and guidance, she has been both a mentor to other teachers, and a role model to the students."
This is the second time Chancey has received this award. The first was in 2005, when she led up a trip for students to Belize in Central America.
"We took 14 students, and they experienced the rain forest and the corral reef," Chance said. "Several had never even been out of the state of Georgia, and this trip gave them a whole new appreciation for simple things like air conditioning and hot showers."
And teaching is not her only accomplishment. She initially taught for two years in North Carolina. Then she went to work in the private sector as a research specialist for Rayonier. During this time she won a patent for a process to improve the conversion of wood into plastic.
After six years at the company, Chancey knew she was meant to be in the classroom, so she began teaching at Long County High School, where she has been every since.
Last year, Chancey spoke at the Georgia Science Teachers Association in Athens, and gave a presentation on a visual aid process called, People Models.
"When you use this method of teaching, it gets the students to use their whole body in the learning process, and it is more effective than just the traditional lecture style of delivering a lesson," the teacher said.
Her advice to other teacher, especially beginners?
"Focus on the positives, the kids who try hard, the kids who say thank you, the kids who do their work with no hassle, always focus on the positives."
The science teacher has been at the high school for six years, and has been teaching for a total of eight years.
"Mrs. Chancey is one of the most complete science teachers in the entire southeastern area of Georgia," LCHS Principal Dr. Delores Mallard said.
In addition to teaching, Chancey is the science department chairperson, and according to Mallard, "Under her leadership and guidance, she has been both a mentor to other teachers, and a role model to the students."
This is the second time Chancey has received this award. The first was in 2005, when she led up a trip for students to Belize in Central America.
"We took 14 students, and they experienced the rain forest and the corral reef," Chance said. "Several had never even been out of the state of Georgia, and this trip gave them a whole new appreciation for simple things like air conditioning and hot showers."
And teaching is not her only accomplishment. She initially taught for two years in North Carolina. Then she went to work in the private sector as a research specialist for Rayonier. During this time she won a patent for a process to improve the conversion of wood into plastic.
After six years at the company, Chancey knew she was meant to be in the classroom, so she began teaching at Long County High School, where she has been every since.
Last year, Chancey spoke at the Georgia Science Teachers Association in Athens, and gave a presentation on a visual aid process called, People Models.
"When you use this method of teaching, it gets the students to use their whole body in the learning process, and it is more effective than just the traditional lecture style of delivering a lesson," the teacher said.
Her advice to other teacher, especially beginners?
"Focus on the positives, the kids who try hard, the kids who say thank you, the kids who do their work with no hassle, always focus on the positives."