Clifton Ridge’s Asbell named Teacher of the Year

The Jones County School System celebrated its teachers last week with a banquet recognizing the best of the best.

The 2023-24 Teacher of the Year ceremony was held March 28 at Butler Hall. At the conclusion of the program, Chelsey Asbell was named Jones County’s Teacher of the Year.

The honorees from each school were Christina Sterling, Jones County Pre-K; Gracie Cummings, Dames Ferry Elementary; Marianna Morris, Gray Elementary; Caroline Baker, Mattie Wells Elementary; Christin Bradshaw, Turner Woods Elementary; Asbell, Clifton Ridge Middle, Ann DuPree, Gray Station Middle; and Margie Thompson, Jones County High School.

In addition to the Teachers of the Year, Mary Lineberger of Mattie Wells Elementary School was named Media Specialist of the year.

The program began with the colors presented by the Jones County High School JROTC Greyhound Battalion Color Guard followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Laura Rackley served as the master of ceremony for the event. After words of welcome, she thanked the judges, sponsors and donors who made the ceremony possible.

Last year’s Teacher of the Year, Christine Geske-Stewart, recognized the 2022-23 Teachers of the Year who also served as this year’s planning committee.

School Superintendent Charles Lundy announced the name of each of the evening’s honorees and at the conclusion of the list, announced Asbell as this year’s Teacher of the Year.

Asbell made her way to the front of the room and stated she was humbled and honored at the award. She started by thanking other Jones County educators for making her the teacher she is today.

“The past few years have been hard. When dark times come, we have to be the light and plant the foundations of love and values,” she said.

The honoree said teaching is one of the most difficult jobs but also the most rewarding.

“The moment you see a student’s brain working makes it worthwhile. You know you are making a difference,” the teacher said.

Asbell has taught eighth grade science at CRMS since 2014. In addition to being a lead teacher, she has been the JCHS Head Varsity Spirit Cheerleading Coach since 2017.

The teacher graduated from JCHS in 2005 and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in middle grade math, science and social studies from Valdosta State University. Her teaching career started in Tifton, where she taught for six years before coming back to Jones County.

Asbell concluded her remarks after receiving the JCSS Teacher of the Year honor, noting that she refers to her students as ‘her sweet babies.’

“The ones who are hardest to love are the ones you love the hardest,” she said.