EDUCATION
Geske-Stewart of JCHS earns 2023 honor
Jones County’s Teacher of the Year is a Social Studies teacher at Jones County High School who did not take long to make her impression among her peers.
Christine Geske-Stewart was named Teacher of the Year at the March 30 ceremony held at Butler Hall. The honoree was announced by School Superintendent Charles Lundy at the conclusion of recognition for the Teachers of the Year for each school in Jones County.
The Teacher of the Year candidates are nominated and selected to represent their schools by the other teachers at their respective schools. The Teachers of the Year are then finalists to represent the district. They fill out a finalist profile and are interviewed by a panel of judges who make the final decision.
Geske-Stewart was given the opportunity to address the audience following the announcement of her selection. The Teacher of the Year has been an educator for 20 years. She received her BA in Sociology from the University of North Carolina Asheville and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Thomas University.
Geske-Stewart first thanked previous school superintendent Chuck Gibson and JCHS Principal Lance Rackley for the honor of bringing her to Jones County.
“I love Jones County, and I’m grateful to my family who always do what they can to help,” she said, and directed her next comments to her colleagues. “Thank you for helping me find a home in Jones County.”
Prior to the announcement of Teacher of the Year, Lundy announced the Jones County Media Specialist of the Year, also nominated by her peers, Laura Dixon. She is the media specialist at Turner Woods Elementary.
Lundy welcomed attendees to the event, and the presentation of the colors and pledge of allegiance was led by the JCHS-CCA JROTC.
JCSS Executive Director of Human Resources Laura Rackley recognized special guests that included this year’s judges, sponsors of the event and donors.
Jones County’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, Christin White, introduced the 2022 Teachers of the Year from each school and the blessing before the meal was led by Board of Education member and Rev. Mike Gordon.
Teacher comments
At the conclusion of the meal catered by Donie Hogan and Alexander Ballroom, a video tribute to the 2023 Teachers of the Year, created by the JC College and Career Academy Audio & Video Technology students, was shown.
Each of the candidates gave a few comments about why they enjoy teaching on the video. Pre-K teacher Lynette Maddox said she loves the connections with the children and getting to know them. Mattie Wells Elementary teacher Valarie Hall said she loves to watch the children grow and see their excitement.
Dames Ferry Elementary teacher Ashley Ivey said she loves that she gets to work with students. She said she loves watching them set goals and then meet those goals.
“At the beginning of the year, they don’t like to read, and at the end of the year, they tell me they love to read,” Ivey added.
Gray Elementary teacher Melissa Hadaway said she loves that she has the students when they are young and that they come to see her year after year. Turner Woods Elementary teacher Jennifer Thomas said she believes teaching should be personalized.
“Relationships are the key,” she said.
Clifton Ridge Middle School teacher Jennifer Burns said she loves seeing students tackle something difficult and break it down. “It’s the light that comes on in their eyes,” she said.
Gray Station Middle School teacher Jacqueline Kennedy-Busch said the main aspect of teaching is showing students that you care.
Geske-Stewart said great teachers are flexible, willing to adapt and are learning all the time.
“You have to love the topics because it’s contagious,” she said.
2023 Teachers of the Year
• JonesCountyPre-K Lynette Maddox
• GrayElementary– Melissa Hadaway
• DamesFerry Elementary – Ashley Ivy
• MattieWells Elementary – Valarie Hall
• TurnerWoods Elementary – Jennifer Thompson
• CliftonRidgeMiddle School – Jennifer Burns
• GrayStationMiddle School – Jacqueline Kennedy-Busch
• JonesCountyHigh School – Christine Geske-Stewart
