LUDOWICI — Denise Montgomery was recently selected as the 2009 teacher of the year for Long County High School and, according to students, she deserves the award.
“Ms. Montgomery is a good teacher. She always listens to us and is there to help us when we need help,” Jermaine Gibbs said.
Shalar Ford added, “What makes Ms. Montgomery so special is that she teaches very well and takes her time with the students.”
Montgomery has been teaching for 19 years, and has been in the Long County system for four years.
She said she knew very early she wanted to be a teacher.
“In second grade, I had my desk set up like a teacher’s desk. I just knew that’s what I wanted to be,” the math instructor said.
Montgomery inspires her students to do well, but she too had a teacher who inspired her, “Mrs. (Sarah) Ethridge, she was a great teacher. She taught me algebra II and geometry. She was an awesome lady.”
Montgomery began teaching in Decatur, Ala. But in 2003 her father died and her mother became ill, so she moved back to southeast Georgia to help her mother.
Montgomery has a bachelor’s of science degree in education in secondary education, a master’s degree in secondary mathematics and an education specialist degree.
Besides being selected LCHS top teacher for 2009, she also was selected as the teacher of the month twice in the Decatur school system.
“Ms. Montgomery goes above and beyond to insure that the students succeed. She is a valuable asset to our school. And I am proud to have her on my staff,” said LCHS Principal Dr. Delores Mallard.
Though students and teachers around her recognize her as an outstanding teacher, she directs attention back to her students.
With tears in her eyes, she picked up a card from one of her previous freshmen who will graduate next week.
“I got this card from one of the seniors, saying thank you so much for my 9th grade year, I learned a lot in your math class. That’s what makes it all worth while, if you help one student it makes a difference,” Montgomery said.
Her advice to new teachers: “First off, start tough. It’s easier to ease up than to start easy and lose control and try to get it back. And second, be firm, fair and consistent.”
“Ms. Montgomery is a good teacher. She always listens to us and is there to help us when we need help,” Jermaine Gibbs said.
Shalar Ford added, “What makes Ms. Montgomery so special is that she teaches very well and takes her time with the students.”
Montgomery has been teaching for 19 years, and has been in the Long County system for four years.
She said she knew very early she wanted to be a teacher.
“In second grade, I had my desk set up like a teacher’s desk. I just knew that’s what I wanted to be,” the math instructor said.
Montgomery inspires her students to do well, but she too had a teacher who inspired her, “Mrs. (Sarah) Ethridge, she was a great teacher. She taught me algebra II and geometry. She was an awesome lady.”
Montgomery began teaching in Decatur, Ala. But in 2003 her father died and her mother became ill, so she moved back to southeast Georgia to help her mother.
Montgomery has a bachelor’s of science degree in education in secondary education, a master’s degree in secondary mathematics and an education specialist degree.
Besides being selected LCHS top teacher for 2009, she also was selected as the teacher of the month twice in the Decatur school system.
“Ms. Montgomery goes above and beyond to insure that the students succeed. She is a valuable asset to our school. And I am proud to have her on my staff,” said LCHS Principal Dr. Delores Mallard.
Though students and teachers around her recognize her as an outstanding teacher, she directs attention back to her students.
With tears in her eyes, she picked up a card from one of her previous freshmen who will graduate next week.
“I got this card from one of the seniors, saying thank you so much for my 9th grade year, I learned a lot in your math class. That’s what makes it all worth while, if you help one student it makes a difference,” Montgomery said.
Her advice to new teachers: “First off, start tough. It’s easier to ease up than to start easy and lose control and try to get it back. And second, be firm, fair and consistent.”
