The Jones County community was present for the Jones County School System Convocation last week, an annual JCSS tradition that celebrates educators while looking forward to the new school year.
This year’s event included members of the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, Gray Police Department, Gray’s Mayor and City Council, the Jones County Board of Commissioners and other leaders in community. The assembly had something for everyone with informative, educational and entertaining speakers, service awards and door prizes.
The excitement was reminiscent of “Let’s Make a Deal,” but the only deal on this day was the safety and education of Jones County students.
School Superintendent Dr. Jessica Graves welcomed all in attendance and kept the meeting moving. She said there are two categories, teachers and those who support teachers.
“Teachers, we are behind you and for you. We believe that students will learn more here in Jones County than anywhere else. That is because of you,” Graves said.
The superintendent introduced the Georgia Teacher of the Year, Charm Mapp, who has been an educator for 23 years, and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
Mapp received a standing ovation, and Graves noted that she would be speaking later in the program.
The superintendent proceeded to recognize other school system employees beginning with bus drivers, then custodians, nutrition department staff, nurses and counselors. Each group was asked to stand and were celebrated.
“Everyone plays a part to respond to the needs of the whole child,” she said. “Commitment to a collaborative culture is not a tag line. We are better together.”
Teachers were the final group recognized, and Graves spoke to them before asking them to stand to be celebrated.
“You stand at the front line,” she said. “You make the difference.”
Graves talked about the mission and vision of the school system, and the tag line, “Enrolled, Enlisted or Employed” was displayed on the big screen.
“It’s that simple. It takes us all to make it work,” she added.
The superintendent described upcoming initiatives. She said without notice, Central Office staff would infiltrate schools and take over their duties for the day. To promote attendance there will be an accounting at each school. A student absence counts as one, but teacher absences count as three. At the end of the period, the school with the best attendance will fly the district flag for nine weeks, and there will be other incentives.
Graves said there would also be Central Office Pep Rallies that will include days off for school staff.
The rally cries by each school needed to be experienced in person. Each school group stood and performed their individual rally cry with enthusiasm, beginning with JC Pre-K and ending with JCHS.
Mattie Wells Elementary staff ended their rally cry with an awesome “Viking Row,” complete with a drum cadence.
Board chairman
Ginger Bailey talked to the assembly about the changes in the upcoming school year and some of the things that remain the same.
“Welcome back. It’s time to get ready for the buses to roll and children to be back in the classroom,” she began. “The board wants you to know we support you in what you do. We are all here to educate children.”
Bailey said she still gets butterflies when school starts.
“We celebrate with you and will be there for you,” she said.
The chairman said the purpose is to educate every child and make sure they are safe, which is the reason for the update of school policies. She asked teachers to read those new policies.
“We must have a classroom environment where teachers can teach and children can learn,” she said. “You are the difference.”
The meeting paused for a show of appreciation to JCSS employees with door prize giveaways hosted by an exuberant Assistant Superintendent Katy Richter with assistance from her straightman, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Wolfolk.
Richter compared Jones County’s own Justin Kelly to Oprah due to his continued support of the school system, including door prizes for the event. Event sponsors were TK Medspa, Jonesco Golf Course, River North Golf Course, Giganti on Main, Mainstreet Gray, Hometown Ortho & Sports Rehab, Roberts Timber Company, Ayers Real Estate, Vineville Internal Medicine, Ranchers, Scooters, Dairy Queen and Bloom Nutrition.
Years of service were recognized at the event in five-year increments, announced by the reading of the names up to 30 years. Those with 30 years of service to JCSS were presented with a Golden Apple Award.
The 30-year recipients were Traci Andrews, Judy Burney, Charles David, Azalea Dennis, Amy Marlowe, Marjie McElveen, Trina Snow and Chandra Williams.
The names of those with over 30 years were also called and recognized. Graves said she and central office staff would be visiting schools to present those awards.
Anne Marie Anderson
The keynote speaker for the event was Anne Marie Anderson, who is known as a sports broadcaster, keynote speaker and author. She was introduced by Graves as a three-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, who has spent more than three decades in sports television, covered six Olympic games, heavyweight title fights, golf majors, NBA/MLB playoffs and the Super Bowl.
Anderson is also the mother of three children who have all attended public schools. The speaker began by talking about her pathway to becoming a broadcaster, paying her dues working on the sideline and in locker rooms.
Anderson said her book “Cultivating Audacity” released in 2025 was written in 15-minute increments, which she found was the only way writing worked for her. Her program was titled “Understand Your Influence,” and she shared personal experiences in ways her influence worked and when it did not.
The speaker concluded by talking about her children and the family’s journey with the middle child Jack, who is special needs. The struggles Jack had within the school system continued until one teacher, who was also a water polo coach, made a connection.
The sport worked for the young man, and the love of the sport was the catalyst for his academic progress that was required to keep him eligible to play. Jack not only graduated but will be attending college on a water polo scholarship.
Anderson is known to be an advocate for public schools. She had one last comment when concluding her program.
“I’m here to say ‘thank you.’”
Georgia Teacher of the Year
Charm Mapp was the final speaker for the program. She came to the podium to a standing ovation and talked about her 23 years as an educator. Mapp said she had never even entertained the idea of being the Georgia Teacher of the Year.
The educator said she was called into the principal’s office nine years ago and asked to teach a gifted class. She said that frustrated her because she preferred working with students who were struggling and needed her help.
After agreeing to teach gifted students, Mapp said she researched how to meet the needs of gifted students and took professional learning courses.
“I was motivated to change the atmosphere of the classroom. My goal was to create a culture of joy and wonder,” she said.
Her efforts paid off with the students’ scores, but Mapp said that was not what she was aiming toward.
“Reaching students were the results that matter to me, and I started advocating for what was working,” the speaker said.
Mapp added she was fortunate to have administrators who listened. Her vision led to programs like the SPARK Academy that has been implemented in both Clifton Ridge and Gray Station middle schools.
Mapp spoke to her fellow teachers and encouraged them to use the tools they had to help students.
“Use your voice,” she said. “Your voice matters.”
Mapp challenged all educators to use their voices to start a ripple as she had for gifted students.
“There is no greater privilege than helping young people discover who they are and what they can become,” she concluded.
As Georgia’s Teacher of the Year, Mapp will spend the next year in the role of ambassador for public education.
The two-hour event concluded with more door prizes and celebrations.
