The Jones County School System hosted its annual convocation at Clifton Ridge Middle School to usher in the start of the 2025–26 school year. Faculty and staff gathered just before students returned to campus.
Board of Education Chairman Ginger Bailey opened the program with a warm welcome and a few reflections.
“I have been doing this job for many years, and I still get butterflies on the first day of school. We’ve got a lot of new people with us and bless your hearts because you have come to God’s country, and you are going to be awesome,” she said.
She acknowledged the nerves that come with starting a new school year, whether someone is a newcomer or a seasoned educator, and emphasized that those feelings are part of what makes education so special.
Bailey shared encouraging news about the district’s performance and highlighted the dedication of Jones County educators.
“On 23 of the 29 CCRPI indicators, we outscored the state. That’s because of you, never giving up on a child, never giving up on anything,” she said.
She proudly noted that the state’s list of failing schools did not include a single Jones County school, which she described as a testament to the district’s commitment to excellence.
She reminded attendees of the vital role every staff member plays in shaping students’ futures. Whether teaching, working in offices, driving buses, cleaning classrooms, or maintaining facilities, every job contributes to student success.
“If a child is sitting in your room, you are a part of that child’s education, no matter what your job is. Children are learning from you,” she said.
She also shared a final hopeful update. Staff supplements are expected to increase by $1,000, pending budget approval.
Bailey closed her remarks by stressing the importance of building meaningful relationships with students and peers. She said the need to protect the learning environment to ensure every child can thrive.
Dr. Sherrie Gibney-Sherman, founder and superintendent of Foothills Regional High School, served as a guest speaker at the convocation. Her school offers students a second chance at earning a high school diploma. She spoke passionately about the importance of relationships and the vital role teachers play in the lives of their students.
“Every student is capable, and there is not one student who cannot make it; we just need to help them,” she said.
She continued by highlighting a core need she sees in students today.
“The students want to be seen and for us to know that they are there,” she said.
To further illustrate her point, Gibney-Sherman shared a video essay from a graduating Foothills student. The video revealed the personal challenges many students face at home and emphasized the importance of providing them with unbiased, compassionate support to help them succeed.
Jones County Teacher of the Year, Charm Mapp, also shared a few words of encouragement for the school year. She focused on the idea of educational legacy and the lasting impact teachers have on their students.
She began by offering a guiding question that has shaped her career.
“Before you greet the first student in your classroom this year, ask yourself, what do you want them to remember about you. This question and answer have guided my career for the past 22 years,” she said.
Mapp described how her passion for teaching began early in life. As an eighth grader, she was inspired by the way her band and language arts teachers conducted their classrooms. She knew even then that she wanted to create a similar environment one day. Her twelfth-grade introduction to teaching instructor showed her what effective teaching looked like, not just through words and lesson plans, but through consistent actions.
She reflected on her journey and credited those early mentors for shaping her path.
“Every accomplishment I have had over the past 20 years, I have been able to reach back out to all three of them and say it is because of their influence that I have been able to accomplish the things I have done,” she said.
Mapp shared a personal story from this past spring. She witnessed a former student successfully defend her dissertation to earn a doctorate in education. She recalled receiving a voicemail from that same student over seven years ago, saying she had chosen to pursue education because of Mapp’s influence. She remembered the student vividly, from the time she cried in the seventh-grade hallway after being bullied to the moments she confidently led classroom activities. Even then, Mapp believed she was destined to make a meaningful impact.
She used this story to emphasize the emotional imprint teachers leave behind, often more lasting than the lessons themselves.
“I share these stories with you because I don’t remember exactly what I learned in Ms. Jenkins’ language arts class or in Ms. Hunt’s band class, but what I do remember about each of these teachers is how they made me feel about myself and learning. I remember they ignited my passion for teaching and learning that I try to share with my students, and I doubt that this student of mine remembers what specific math skills I taught her, but I know for a fact she remembers how I made her feel about herself, about learning, and about her future goals,” she said.
She ended her remarks with a call to action. Mapp encouraged educators to embrace their influence and start the year with intention.
“Our students are looking to us, and they need us to teach them and model for them a love for life-long learning. The seeds that we plant each and every day will reap a harvest and a garden of influence that knows no bounds. We have the power and the influence to change the world with our words and actions. The change we see starts with the students that we teach. So, let’s begin today,” she said.
Interim Superintendent Clinton Burston and Executive Director of Human Resources Jennifer Holland closed the event. They recognized several educators and support staff for their years of service in the Jones County School System and wished the rest of the crowd an excellent start to the school year.
