Opening Session - Program

My Home MY HOUSTON 2021-2022 OPENING SESSION Welcome back!



Order of Events Welcome Mr. Fred Wilson, Presentation of Colors Chairman, Board of Education Pledge of Allegiance National Anthem AFJROTC, Introduction of Special Guests Houston County High School Recognition of Event Sponsors Mrs. Crystal Tucker, Guest Speaker 2020-2021 Houston County Teacher of the Year A Look Back Houston County Music Teachers Dr. Mark Scott, Superintendent of Schools Jennifer C. Jones Director, Community & School Affairs Mr. Jeffrey Whitaker, Jr. Gwendolyn Brown Foundation; WRHS, Class of 2010 Dr. Scott Award Presentations to Employee and Teacher Honorees Mrs. Tucker Teacher of the Year Finalists & Districtwide Winner Announcement Mrs. Tucker Presentation of Awards Georgia Delegates, HEA Federal Credit Union Robins Regional Chamber, Sonny's BBQ, & Hughes Honda Comments A Look Ahead 2021-2022 Houston County Teacher of the Year Inspirational Song Closing Remarks Dr. Scott Houston County Music Teachers Dr. Scott

Employees of the Year Bus Driver ........................................................................................................................................... Kalessa Smith Bus Monitor ....................................................................................................................................... Jessica Fisher Custodian ......................................................................................... Johnny Dobson, Houston County High Distribution Center .................................................................................................................. Harold Hambrick Maintenance Employee .................................................................................................................... Skylar Holle School Nutrition Manager ................................................................... James Bryant, Warner Robins High Event Sponsors PREMIER Totem Benefit Solutions $10,000 Parrish Construction $6,000 Flint Energies $5,000 HEA Federal Credit Union $5,000 Yancey Bus Sales & Service $5,000 Houston Healthcare In-kind Southside Baptist In-kind GOLD Cox Communications $3,000 Central Georgia Technical College $2,000 Synovus Bank $1,500 SILVER AF Realty Group $1,000 Georgia Military College $1,000 BRONZE Advanced Eyecare, Dr. Matt Dixon $500 Ric Roderick & Associates, Inc., Herff Jones $500 Please thank our district sponsors for their support and generosity! District events are fully funded by these partners.

Teachers of the Year Bonaire Elementary ......................................................................................................... Ronzina Brown Bonaire Middle ..................................................................................................................... Renae Ferrari Bonaire Primary ...................................................................................................................... Danny Watt C.B. Watson Primary .................................................................................................. Kimberly McGhee Centerville Elementary .................................................................................................... Erika Kennedy David Perdue Elementary ................................................................................................... Robins Mills David Perdue Primary .................................................................................................. Angela Thrasher Eagle Springs Elementary ................................................................................................. Staci Pittman Feagin Mill Middle ......................................................................................................... Maria Huckabee Hilltop Elementary ..................................................................................................... Earnestine McRae Houston County Career Academy ................................................................. Candice Hollingshed Houston County High ......................................................................................................... Randi Collier Houston County WIN Academy ................................................................................. Rhonda Zellner Huntington Middle ......................................................................................................... Otis Covington Kings Chapel Elementary ............................................................................................. Emily Clements Lake Joy Elementary ................................................................................................ Stephanie Sanders Lake Joy Primary ........................................................................................................................ Jodi Short Langston Road Elementary ................................................................................................ Rachel Ervin Lindsey Elementary .................................................................................................... Michele Spradley Matt Arthur Elementary ....................................................................................... Laura Leigh George Miller Elementary ................................................................................................................... April Weaks Morningside Elementary .................................................................................................... Michelle Hill Mossy Creek Middle ................................................................................................... Tamye Fitzgerald Northside Elementary ................................................................................................... Marcie Williams Northside High ................................................................................................................. Christi Johnson Northside Middle ............................................................................................................ Robert Robbins Parkwood Elementary ............................................................................................... Chelsie Leininger Pearl Stephens Elementary ............................................................................................. Debbie Garza Perry High ................................................................................................................................... Evan Jones Perry Middle ..................................................................................................................... LaTondra Oliver Quail Run Elementary .......................................................................................................... Rachel Boyd Russell Elementary ..................................................................................................... Jaqueline Randall Shirley Hills Elementary ........................................................................................................... Ali Buzzell Thomson Middle .................................................................................................................. Leigh Barrett Tucker Elementary ...................................................................................................... Audreia Jennings Veterans High .................................................................................................................. Jessica Miranda Warner Robins High ............................................................................................................ Bryan Carrier Warner Robins Middle ........................................................................................................... Jamie Nash Westside Elementary ................................................................................................... Monica Troullier Signifies Top Ten Teacher of the Year Finalist

Employee & Teacher of the Year SPONSORS Ace Hardware & Garden Center, Perry Houston Lake Country Club Acres & Oak Kitchen Hughes Honda Advanced Eyecare Center Ibalz Marketing & Signs Ashley Marie's Boutique Kerri Moore Interiors Belk Lumber Liquidators Bodega Brew MaxFitness Mr. Tyler Bryant McCall's Sandwich Shop Burger King, Perry McDonald's Horse Supply & Western Store The Butcher Shop Middle Georgia RESA C & C Photography Miss Dottie's The Carpenter's Shoppe Morning by Morning Coffee Central Georgia Technical College Mossy Creek Natural Cherokee Pines Events & Fitness Museum of Arts and Sciences Chick-fil-A of Warner Robins Museum of Aviation Cinnaholic National Bank Products Clean Control Corporation Occasions by Lake Joy Coca-Cola Bottling Company Parrish Construction Collective Goods Perry Chamber of Commerce Cracker Barrel Perry Taekwondo Cross Point Baptist Church Publix Supermarkets, Inc. Development Authority of Houston County Robins Regional Chamber Dolly James Boutique Roots, Turf & Ornamental Family Dental Associates, Dr. Alex Bell The Royal Gardens FireStarter FABLab Satterfield & Dempsey Dr. William E. Freeman, Dermatology Mr. Phil Smith Frito-Lay, Inc. Sonny's BBQ Georgia Military College Sunset Slush Georgia National Fairgrounds The Swanson House Georgia Theatre Company, Houston Lakes Cinemas Synovus Gottwals Books Trap Golf H.E.A. Federal Credit Union The Walker Firm Harris Trophies, Inc. Warner Robins Supply The Hayneville Hostess, Jenny Millward Yelverton Jewelers Houston Association of Educators Zaxby's of Middle Georgia Houston County Family Connection Houston Home Journal

Mr. Jeff Whitaker, Jr. BIOGRAPHY Jeffrey Whitaker, Jr. is an inspirational speaker and non-fiction writer. He was born in Macon, Ga. into a single- parent household with his mother, Gwendolyn Brown, and older brother, Lorenzo. Jeff is what you call a “community baby,” someone who everyone had to chip in and help after his mother suddenly became ill and soon after, passed away from cancer, at the age of 40. Whitaker gives special thanks to his aunt and uncle, Cynthia and Milton Joseph, for allowing him to call Warner Robins home. He credits their act of kindness for where he is today. Whitaker was able to forgive the past and now has a great relationship with his father, Jeff Whitaker, Sr. Whitaker graduated from Warner Robins High School, Class of 2010. He was ranked the number 54 high school football player in the nation, and the number five defensive tackle and overall player in the state by Rivals.com. Whitaker was recruited by Auburn University, where he was a member of the undefeated 2010 SEC and BCS National Championship team, appearing in all 14 games as a freshman. He continued to have a successful season as a sophomore before an injury sidelined him. Whitaker provided leadership and motivation for his teammates throughout his last two seasons with the Tigers. Whitaker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in Social Work from Auburn. His goal is to motivate and inspire others through his personal experiences and let them know they, too, can overcome obstacles that life sometimes throws their way. You can follow him on these social media platforms: JeffWhitakerJr (Instagram) Jeff Whitaker Jr (Facebook) Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Scott Board of Education Mr. Fred Wilson, Chairman, District 4 Mrs. Helen Hughes, Vice Chairman, District 5 Dr. Rick Unruh, District 1 Mrs. Lori Johnson, District 2 Mr. Dave Crockett. District 3 Mr. Hoke Morrow, District 6 Mr. Bryan Upshaw, District 7

Our Mission To produce high-achieving students. Our Vision Our system will be world class. Our Values Safety is our number one priority. Students will graduate college and career ready. All students will achieve academic success.  All means all! Ensure the academic and social-emotional growth of students through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. Support quality learning, by student, by standard. Take collective responsibility for teaching, learning and professional development through professional learning communities. Use evidence-based, high-leverage practices to meet the needs of all students. The Houston County Way Strive for excellence in all that we do. Have a professional attitude. Go the extra mile. Base decisions on what is best for students. Provide quality customer service. Work hard, with dedication & love for students. Approach work every day with a positive attitude, hope, enthusiasm and compassion. Do things right; do the right thing.