Local educators who were nominated by their peers were celebrated last week ahead of the the fall break as the Teachers of the Year for 2023.
Schools across the district posted on Facebook the announcements for the 2023 Teachers of the Year for their respective schools, and this year’s honorees include many who have spent years in the classroom with local youth, inspiring generations of Polk County’s children – and then their children.
Note: only some info was available while compiling this Teacher of the Year feature.
Here’s this year’s Teachers of the Year for 2023:
Cherokee Elementary – Chris McKelvey
Here on Polk Today, he’s simply known as “Coach.” For many in Cedartown schools, he’s been cheering them on from the sidelines and providing them with guidance throughout their years in the Polk School District – from Kindergarten to graduation and beyond. With 30 years as a Physical Education instructor, McKelvey has been around long enough to have been coach to a young Nick Chubb at Cherokee Elementary.
This Cedartown native is a graduate of the CHS Class of 1988, and has a dual Associates degree in Education and Physical Education from Floyd College (now Georgia Highlands College,) and a Bachelor’s in Health and Physical Education from Berry College. He also has a Master’s in the same from Jacksonville State University. A Specialist Degree from Lincoln Memorial University in Educational Leadership is added as well. During this time, he’s raised a family and impacted the lives of kids across the Polk County community.
Here’s the school’s post from Facebook:
It is with great honor to announce our 2023-2024 Cherokee Teacher of the Year, Coach Chris McKelvey! Coach McKelvey is truly a devoted teacher, coach, husband, father, and friend. He is known for forming lasting relationships with his students, ones that they remember for a lifetime. He teaches a lot more than just PE, he teaches character, confidence, patience, and kindness. He has taught for 30 years and has impacted thousands of students. He is truly one of the best. Congratulations Coach Chris McKelvey!!! #CESisthebest #TOTY #PSDProud
Eastside Elementary – Megan Smith
This first grade teacher from Eastside Elementary is the 2023 Teacher of the Year the school on Prospect Road. We attempted to track down some more info on her school site, but unfortunately it was coming up with an error… We’ll add something additional when available.
Here’s what Eastside posted for their announcement on FB:
We are pleased to announce the Eastside Elementary Teacher of the Year, Megan Smith! Mrs. Smith teaches 1st grade. She is supported everyday by her faith and by her loving family.
Northside Elementary – Cristen Bradshaw
An educator in English as a Second Language, Cristen Bradshaw was named the Teacher of the Year for 2023 at Northside!
Here’s what Northside added to their FB:
May we introduce to you our Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Cristen Bradshaw?! Show her some love below. We are thankful for her unwavering commitment to our school and dedication to excellence everyday! Congratulations, Mrs. Bradshaw! Your Northside family loves you!
Van Wert Elementary – Desiree Williams
Kindergarten teacher Desiree Williams
Here’s what Van Wert Elementary posted to honor Ms. Williams on their Facebook page:
We would like to congratulate the 2023-24 Van Wert Teacher of the Year, Ms. Desiree Williams! She is a wonderful and caring kindergarten teacher. She gives her all every day and is committed to her students! Congratulations, Ms. Williams!
Westside Elementary – Kirsten Burgess
Third grade educator Kirsten Burgess was named the Teacher of the Year for the 2023 by Westside Elementary.
Congrats to Mrs. Burgess! Westside Elementary posted this on their Facebook page:
Join us in celebrating Mrs. Kirsten Burgess, Westside’s Teacher of the Year! 🌟 Her dedication, passion, and commitment to our students is truly inspiring. 📚 Let’s give her a round of applause for shaping the future of our young learners! 🎉
Youngs Grove Elementary – Amanda Culberson
Amanda Culberson is this year’s Teacher of the Year for Youngs Grove Elementary, and she is one of the school’s Exceptional Students educators.
Ms. Culberson was honored by Youngs Grove Elementary with the following post:
We are so proud to announce our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Culberson!
Ms. Culberson is an awesome teacher who goes above and beyond for her students and her school. To know her is to love her.
Cedartown Middle School – Kelly Camp
An educator with the Polk School District for the past 16 years, Kelly Camp is the Teacher of the Year for Cedartown Middle in 2023. She’s an Exceptional Students Teacher at CMS, and had the following posted as her educational philosophy on her school site:
I believe that every student has the potential to bring something unique and special to the classroom, our community, and world. As an educator, I feel that it is important to help my students see their full potential by encouraging them to believe in themselves and discover who they are and what they are capable of in every aspect of their lives. I find purpose in finding effective ways to help students gain the necessary tools to guide them through their academic classes and daily lives. Education is the most important tool a person can receive. As an educator, it is important for me to help encourage and motivate my students to become successful, knowledgeable, independent, decision makers who can apply what they learn throughout their years of schooling and build an incredible future!
Cedartown Middle honored their Teacher of the Year with this post on FB for Mrs. Camp:
Congratulations to our amazing Mrs. Kelly Camp, CMS Teacher of the Year!!!
Rockmart Middle School – Drew Lindsey
Rockmart Middle’s Coach Drew Lindsey is the Teacher of the Year for 2023, and he comes into the position with a lot of history in these hallowed halls.
A graduate of the Class of 2005 at RHS, he earned a degree from Jacksonville State University in 2009 and returned back home to serve local youth in and out of the classroom.
Along with being an educator, Lindsey is also the Rockmart Wrestling coach. He’s also served as coach for softball and baseball during his time. His family celebrated with him recently during honors as Teacher of the Year, including his wife Samantha and their two kids Grady and Ryleigh.
Here’s what Rockmart Middle posted to honor Coach Lindsey:
Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year Drew Lindsey! We celebrated him at a PEP rally for fall sports!
Cedartown High School – Ashlee Freels
Now in her 8th year at CHS in the Science Department, Ashlee Freels has been busy helping students gain a better appreciation for STEM education. She’s also the 2023 Teacher of the Year at Cedartown High.
This University of Tennessee-Martin grad earned her Biology degree, and got a Master’s from Carson-Newman College. Along with raising a family locally, she also runs a fencing company with her husband. They also also enjoy traveling to and participating in rodeos with their children, Gage, Oaklee and Slayden.
Cedartown High School congratulated Mrs. Freels with this post on FB:
We are proud to announce Mrs. Ashlee Freels as our Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Freels has been an educator for 16 years and has been teaching at Cedartown High School for 8 years. She is an integral part of the science department. For the past few years, her focus has been Biology. Recently, she was honored by PSD because she helped to raise CHS’s Biology scores above the state level. Congratulations to Ashlee, our Teacher of the Year.
Rockmart High School – Steven Eubanks
History teacher Steven Eubanks is the 2023 Teacher of the Year for Rockmart High. Now in his latest year as an educator for the Polk School District and ninth at the school, this US History Teacher, Macroeconomics and dual enrollment educator has a lot on his plate regularly.
He’s a graduate of the University of South Carolina and West Georgia, and when not in the classroom spends time with his family.
Here’s what RHS posted for their honors for Mr. Eubanks:
Congratulations to the RHS Teacher of the Year——
Mr. Steven Eubanks
Thank you Mr. Eubanks for being such an amazing teacher and for the years of dedication to RHS!!!
Polk County College and Career Academy – Chris Jones
This year’s Teacher of the Year for the College and Career Academy is the Agriculture Teacher, Chris Jones. He’s a busy guy beyond what he does in the classroom, with involvement outside with the Future Farmers of America and the Polk County Show Team.
The PCCCA Facebook page added this to their feed to honor Mr. Jones:
We are pleased to announce our 2023-24 Teacher of the Year! Mr. Chris Jones is an Agriculture Education teacher on our Rockmart High School campus. He works tirelessly throughout the year in and out of the classroom with agriculture students across the county advising students in FFA and the Polk County Show Team. Mr. Jones is a long-time PSD employee having taught at the elementary and high school levels. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Jones!
Check back for coverage in November for the 2023 PSD Teacher of the Year!
