The Citizen gets acquainted with
Morgan County’s newest group of educators

Compiled By Katherine Purcell - Photos By Angelina Bellebuono

Yes folks, it’s that time of year again…time to go back to school!
With the arrival of the school year comes the introduction of new educators to each of Morgan County’s schools. And 2008/2009 is no exception; in total, there are 39 teachers new to the school system this academic year.
And so, in an effort to provide preliminary introductions, the Citizen asked these new recruits a few questions, so that you, dear reader, can find out who is eligible, to teach your children that is, and get to know them a little better.

Morgan County Primary School

Joy Almand
Almand, an eight-year veteran, will be teaching first grade this year.
“I’ve always wanted to teach since the age of seven,” Almand said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I love working with children of all ages and abilities.”
Almand can’t live without books to read, children and art materials in her classroom, and, if she were a teacher from TV or a movie, she would be the teacher in “Wildcats” because “she was faced with many challenges and overcame them all to work with all of her students.”

Lynn Kirkpatrick
Kirkpatrick has been an educator for 16 years, and will be teaching second grade starting this fall.
“I love working with children,” Kirkpatrick said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I can’t imagine doing anything else!”
Kirkpatrick can’t live without students, parent volunteers and books in her classroom, and she uses “a variety of colors to grade papers. Why choose one color when there are so many colors to choose from?”

Stacy Chapman
Chapman is a newcomer to Morgan County, and to education, as this will be her first year teaching. She will be in a second grade classroom beginning this fall.
“I did not choose to become a teacher,” Chapman said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “This was something that God led me into.”
Chapman can’t live without children, a SMARTBoard and a plan of action in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading papers, she uses “any color but red, because red is scary.”

Stephanie Bennewitz
Bennewitz is also a first-year teacher, and will be in a Kindergarten classroom this fall.
“I love working with kids, and it’s an absolute privilege to be a small part of their lives,” Bennewitz said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “Teaching and watching Kindergarteners learn how to read will be such a treat.”
Bennewitz can’t live without kids, a SMARTBoard and Post-it notes (“to try to stay organized”) in her classroom, and she uses green, purple or blue pens to grade “because they’re cheerful, but probably a lot of stamps and stickers will be involved with those fun Kindergarteners!”

Anna Ross
Ross has been an educator for five years, and will be teaching second grade this fall.
“I have always loved working with kids,” Ross said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I love it when their eyes light up with something new they have learned and I love being a part of that.”
Ross can’t live without her calendar, computer and a SMARTBoard in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading papers, she “usually grabs a marker that is either black, purple or green.”

Angela Simpson
Simpson is a four-year veteran educator, and will be teaching second grade, Special Education this year.
“My entire life I have always been ‘the teacher,’” Simpson said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I taught my brother, sister, cousins, neighbors, baby dolls and teddy bears. I do not have many teachers in my family, but I fell in love with teaching very early in life.”
Simpson can’t live without a SMARTBoard, computer and lesson plan book in her classroom, and she uses purple or teal to grade because “they are friendly colors. Red is a color associated with negativity and urgency, so I do not use red.”

Jennifer Martin
Martin is a newcomer to education, as this will be her first year teaching. She will be in a first grade classroom this fall.
“I started out in business and decided to change careers,” Martin said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “Education was and is my first love.”
Martin can’t live without children, a planner and a clock in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, she uses “a bright color to encourage positive thinking.”

Morgan County Elementary School

Stacy Lancaster
Lancaster is a five-year veteran, and will be teaching fourth grade Language Arts this fall.
“I have a passion for children and I enjoy watching them learn and grow,” Lancaster said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
Lancaster can’t live without a calendar, lesson plans and children’s books in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, she “loves using all different colors, it just depends on my ‘mood’ that day!”

Kelly Benise
Benise has three years of experience (“then I became a stay-at-home mom, now I’m back! Yea!”), and will be teaching third grade this year.
“Sometimes, in school, I felt bored out of my mind!” Benise said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I would think of ways that the class could be more interesting. Now, I have the opportunity to do that. Also, my mom retired as a paraprofessional, and I always admired her caring ways.”
Benise can’t live without floor space, music and books in her classroom, and she likes to grade in purple. “It’s my favorite color.”

Lori West
West is a first-year educator, and will be teaching third grade Social Studies and Language Arts this fall.
“I love learning, I love children and I love helping others learn,” West said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
When it comes to grading, “Traditional red is good to make a big ‘X,’ but, because my students will be exceptionally smart, I will use purple to make smiley faces.” If she were a teacher from TV or a movie, West would be Mrs. Frizzle from “The Magic School Bus” because “she is so smart and takes great field trips!”

Lisa Harris
Harris has been a teacher for seven years, and will be teaching fifth grade Math, Science and Social Studies this fall.
“When I was in the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Harris said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I love helping others and seeing the sense of pride and accomplishment when a child ‘gets it’ for the first time!”
Harris can’t live without a computer, paper and tennis balls in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, she uses purple because “it’s a friendly, happy color.”

Angie Fowler
Fowler is in her second year of education, and will be teaching fifth grade Math, Science and Social Studies this year.
“I love children and watching them light up with excitement and success in academics and also in life,” Fowler said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
Fowler can’t live without sticky notes, pencils and a computer in her classroom, and, if she were a teacher from TV or a movie, she would be Mr. Feenie from “Boy Meets World” because “he gets to stay with his same kids all the way through college.”

Morgan County Middle School

Elizabeth Norris
Norris is a newcomer to education, as this will be her first year teaching. She will be in a seventh grade Language Arts classroom this fall.
“Mr. Tommy Benton, my eighth grade Georgia History teacher,” Norris said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “He is a great inspiration and a book of knowledge.”
Norris plans on using purple to grade because “it’s happy! I went to Young Harris College and our school colors were purple and white!” If she were a teacher from TV or a movie, it would be “Mona Lisa Smile” because “it’s a great movie and who wouldn’t want to be Julia Roberts!”

Luisa Guerra
Guerra is will be teaching Spanish Connection at Morgan County Middle School this fall, and, when asked how long she’s been teaching, her reply is “Does having kids count?”
“It’s the most exciting job in the world,” Guerra said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “Never a dull moment.”
Guerra can’t live without her keys, students and music in her classroom, and she wouldn’t choose to be a teacher from TV or a movie because “I would be me, I’m the entertainer!”

Zorra Jones Fortune
An 11-year veteran of education, Fortune will be teaching seventh grade Social Studies this fall.
“Observing the impact that my mother had on her students as well as myself influenced my decision to teach,” Fortune said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
Fortune can’t live without her computer, dry erase markers and strong coffee with extra cream in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, chooses to use any color but red because “the color red always seems to intensify errors.”

Dorothy Newton
Newton is also a veteran of education, having taught elementary school before her children were born and teaching pre-school part-time for the past seven years. She will be in a sixth grade Social Studies classroom this fall.
“I had a wonderful P.E. coach in elementary school,” Newton said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “He made a very positive impression on me.”
Newton can’t live without windows (“I love to be able to see outside and I love for my kids to be able to see outside as well.”), maps and globes (“I like maps and want my students to always have that visual before them.”) and a SMARTBoard, and she grades in green because “green means keep on going!”

Lara Spell
Spell is a relative newcomer to education, having taught sixth grade Language Arts for the last three months of last school year. This fall also brings her into a sixth grade Language Arts classroom.
“I spent 12-plus years in the corporate world and knew I wanted to work where I could make a difference instead,” Spell said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
Spell can’t live without students, a classroom library and a reading area in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, she “prefers purple because it’s my favorite color, but I will use whatever’s handy.”

Courtney McCullough
McCullough is a newcomer to teaching, though she was a substitute last year at Morgan County Middle and Morgan County High schools. She will be teaching sixth grade Math and Language Arts this year.
“A huge heart for children and learning,” McCullough said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
McCullough will use any color but red to grade because “it’s too scary!” and, if she were a teacher from TV or a movie, she would be “Anne of Green Gables” because “she was a fiery redhead who believed in those that had given up on themselves and others.”

Tara Bubenheim
Bubenheim will be teaching sixth grade Math this year.
“I was tired of the monotony of working in an office,” Bubenheim said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I wanted the excitement of being in a classroom where no two days are the same. I also have many great educators in my family. I have big shoes to fill in Madison being the niece of the great Bill Corry!”
Bubenheim can’t live without respect, respect and respect in her classroom, and will use all colors for grading because she “gets tired using the same color over and over.”

Sarah Titshaw
Titshaw is a newcomer to education, as this will be her first year teaching. She will be in an eighth grade Language Arts classroom this fall.
“To help children and give back to the community,” Titshaw said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
Titshaw will use red to grade because “students don’t usually write in red,” and, if she were a teacher from TV or a movie, she would be Ms. Lippy “because she’s fun.”

Wes Dozier
Dozier is a 14-year veteran of education, and will be a sixth, seventh and eighth grade counselor this fall.
“I like to help students become productive, responsible citizens,” Dozier said, of the reason he chose to become a counselor.
Dozier can’t live without a computer, students and a telephone, and, if he were a teacher from TV or a movie, he would be Clint Eastwood because “he always seemed to be cool under pressure. He won every battle he faced.”

Lisa Poole
With three-plus years of experience in education, Poole will be teaching seventh grade Math this fall.
“I love children!” Poole said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “Middle school children especially! The ‘squirrellier,’ the better.”
Poole can’t live without paper, pencils (“A must in Math!”) and students in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, any color works. “Variety is the spice of life! Pens, markers, crayons, Sharpies…any non-erasable item will do!”

Sarah Schubert
A four-year veteran of Special Education, Schubert will be teaching all grade levels of self-contained Emotional/Behavioral Disorder this fall.
“[There are] so many reasons,” Schubert said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “[It’s] challenging, rewarding, creative, exciting and never boring!”
Schubert can’t live without students’ bean bags for reading, dry erase markers “in every color imaginable” and a camera “to capture students in action and display their work” in her classroom, and, if she were a teacher from TV or a movie, she would be Ms. Bliss from “Saved By the Bell” because “she could even keep Zach Morris entertained!”

Chris Peotrowski
Peotrowski is a newcomer to education, and will be teaching eighth grade Math this year.
“I had the opportunity to serve as a long-term substitute for a semester, teaching high school Math,” Peotrowski said, of the reason he chose to become a teacher. “I thoroughly enjoyed it!”
If he were a teacher from TV or a movie, he would be Mr. Holland from “Mr. Holland’s Opus” because “he always figured out a way to get through to his students.”

Nicole Outram
Outram has four years of experience in education, and will be a counselor at Morgan County Middle School this fall.
“I had many great teachers that inspired me and I would not be where I am now if not for them!” Outram said, of the reason she chose to become a counselor.
Outram can’t live without a colorful bulletin board and lots of great books, and, if she were a teacher from TV or a movie, she would be Edward James Olmos from “Stand and Deliver” because “his belief that all students have the ability to succeed inspired me to instill the same belief in my students.”

Morgan County High School

Kristie Hendley
Hendley is a newcomer to education, and will be teaching 11th and 12th grade Cosmetology this year.
“To give the kids of our community the opportunity to have other career options coming out of high school,” Hendley said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
Hendley can’t live without a dry erase board, a computer and stations for the students to work in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, she will use red “so I can tell the difference at first glance.”

LaReece Reynolds
Reynolds is a five-year veteran of education, and will be teaching Latin at Morgan County High School this fall.
“To make a positive difference in the lives of young people,” Reynolds said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
Reynolds can’t live without her watch, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, she uses red because “the students tend to review my remarks – however, I prefer purple!”

Ashley Adams
Adams is a first-year teacher, and will be in a ninth grade Spanish classroom this fall.
“I remember how great it was to have a great teacher and what an impact it had on me,” Adams said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I want to have that impact on someone else.”
Adams can’t live without Post-it notes, paper clips (“Without them, I would drown in unorganized papers.”) and index cards in her classroom, and, if she were a teacher from TV or a movie, she would be Ms. Bliss from “Saved By the Bell” because “she was passionate and involved in her students’ lives.”

Julie Strom
Strom is also a first-year educator, and will be teaching READ 180 this fall.
“I love helping others and watching students achieve their potential,” Strom said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher.
Strom can’t live without Post-it notes, colored pens and stickers in her classroom, and, if she were a teacher from TV or a movie, she would be Robin Williams’ character in “Dead Poet’s Society” because “he is innovative and inspires his students to follow their dreams.”

Karl Scott
Scott is a veteran educator, having taught six years at the middle school level before “graduating” to high school. He will teach ninth grade Biology this year.
“To make a difference, of course!” Scott said, of the reason he chose to become a teacher. “Teaching is a critically important profession which helps re-make our world.”
Scott can’t live without curiosity, humor and persistence in his classroom, and, if he were a teacher from TV or a movie, well, he wouldn’t be Ichabod Crane. “If I were Ichabod Crane in ‘The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow,’ I would put in for a transfer…Not Jerry Springer, not ‘Welcome Back Kotter.’ I don’t know, perhaps Andy Griffith.”

Amanda Nebel
Nebel is a relative newcomer to education, having worked at Morgan County High School since April. She will be teaching Health Occupations/Healthcare Science and Technology this fall.
“I am passionate about healthcare,” Nebel said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I am truly excited about introducing the possibilities and potential that young people can pursue in the healthcare field.”
Nebel can’t live without a computer, medical equipment and enthusiastic students in her classroom, and will use any color except black to grade with because “black does not ‘pop’ when you look at papers that are already printed in black.”

Beverly Hayes
Hayes is a 10-year veteran of education, and will be teaching ninth grade English this fall.
“My grandmother and mother were teachers,” Hayes said, of the reason she chose to become a teacher. “I’ve always known I wanted to be a teacher. I watched them work and saw their love for the profession and knew I could be happy teaching.”
Hayes can’t live without white-out correction fluid, pictures of her family and her sense of humor in her classroom, and, when it comes to grading, she chooses to use green because “it seems less offensive than red.”

Andrew Biersmith
Biersmith has seven years of experience in education, and will be teaching Chemistry, AP Chemistry and IB Physics this fall.
“To feel like I’ve given back to others with my time and in my career,” Biersmith said, of the reason he chose to become a teacher.
Biersmith can’t live without paper clips, a computer and hydrochloric acid in his classroom. When it comes to grading, Biersmith uses “whatever pen is behind my ear at the time, but usually red, purple or blue.”

Wesley Belcher
Belcher is a newcomer to education, and will be teaching Agricultural Mechanics this year.
“To make a positive impact on the lives of our youth for tomorrow,” Belcher said, of the reason he chose to become a teacher.
Belcher can’t live without a computer, safety equipment and his teacher toolbox in his classroom, and, if he were a teacher from TV or a movie, he would be Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in “Kindergarten Cop” because “I know that I will have to overcome many struggles in my first year teaching, second year, let’s just make it my first 25 years.”

Morgan County CrossRoads School

Greg Thompson
Thompson has 11 years of experience in education, and will be teaching sixth, seventh and eighth grade Social Studies, Language Arts, P.E. and Art this fall.
“I have always enjoyed being with kids and I love sports and really wanted to be a coach,” Thompson said, of the reason he chose to become a teacher.
Thompson can’t live without a clock, nice dry erase pens and hand sanitizer in his classroom, and, when it comes to grading, he uses “whatever color is available or close by when I sit down to grade papers. I’m not choosy.”