By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Teachers of the year, retirees honored
Long County Board of Education
Long BoE May 14 Meeting Teachers of the Yr
Board members and school principals recognize teachers of the year: Susan Fuentas, Christi Crews and Candace Mixon. - photo by Mikee Riddle

The Long County Board of Education recognized several employees May 14 at its monthly meeting.

The first employees recognized were the teachers of the year for each of the three schools. Susan Fuentas was chosen by her peers at Smiley Elementary School, Candace Mixon was chosen at Walker Middle School and Christi Crews earned the award at Long County High School.  The teachers received plaques for their honor.

Each school’s principal spoke highly of the honored educators.

“We are very excited about Mrs. Fuentas being chosen as the teacher of the year at SES … Each year, she has a different theme in the media center, and she has done a phenomenal job,” Principal David Edwards said.

“This lady is unbelievable. To watch her work with young people is a real joy … She is a mom to all of her students, and I want to thank her for what she does,” WMS Principal Heath Crane said of Mixon.

“(Crews) will do anything that I ask her to do, and she goes above and beyond,” LCHS Principal Scotty Hattaway said. “She is very demanding of her kids and pushes them to succeed … She is quite an asset at LCHS.”

Board Chairman Dempsey Golden also praised the three teachers.

“On behalf of the board, teachers, we do thank you … We are very thrilled with all of our teachers and especially these three,” he said.

The board also recognized employees who retired at the end of the school year: Carolyn Williamson, 30 years of service; Shirley Davis, 29 years; Amy Howard, 24 years; Janice Gladin, 23 years; Dr. Vicky Wells, 20 years; and Una Davis, 15 years.

School food nutrition director Terri Godding spoke highly of Davis.

“She will do anything we ask, and she has been wonderful to work with,” Godding said. “She has done an outstanding job at SES, WMS and at the high school.”

Crane also praised Gladin, stating that he was going to do all that he could to keep her from retiring.

“I love this lady, she’s unbelievable and she’s everything that a teacher needs to be,” Crane said.

The board approved a resolution honoring the retirees’ years of service and presented plaques for them.  Davis, Williamson and Wells were not at the meeting.    

In other business:

• Golden praised the WMS and LCHS band concerts May 7-8, and said that for the 2012-13 school year, the high-school band expects to field 100 members in uniform for performances.

• Superintendent Robert Waters reported that the new high school was “progressing well” and that the roughing in, foundation work  and slab preparation was being worked on.

• The board set a budget workshop for 8 a.m. May 21.

Sign up for our e-newsletters