>> EDUCATION
The Baldwin County Board of Education recently approved Terri Carty as its new principal of Midway Hills Academy.
Originally from Ohio, Carty moved to Milledgeville in 2005 when her husband became the baseball coach at Georgia College & State University. After moving to Baldwin County, she and her husband settled down and had three children.
“Baldwin County felt like home from the moment we arrived,” said Carty. “It’s been a blessing to be a part of this community.”
Carty began teaching in 2005 after receiving her undergraduate degree in elementary education at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., and her master’s and specialist degrees in educational leadership from Georgia College & State University.
“Milledgeville has been my home for my entire educational career,” said Carty. “My first job was at Midway Hills Academy, so taking over this position feels like I’m returning to my secondary home again. I’m going back to where I began in a new position.”
Carty’s educational career began and has continued in the Baldwin County School District. In 2005, she was teaching second and fourth grades at Midway Elementary School. In 2016, she became an instructional coach for the primary schools and in 2018, she was appointed as assistant principal of Midway Hills Primary.
“I have always enjoyed working at Midway Hills Academy in and out of the classroom. I appreciated building relationships with students, their families, and staff at the school because it helped me join the community that became my home,” said Carty. “I’m excited to take on this new role and continue down the road that Dr. Eric Carlyle is leaving me.”
Carty admits she originally planned to work as a physical therapist until arriving at Marshall University, where she decided to switch her major.
“I always had a passion for working with children and teaching, so I decided to pursue an education degree and got my degree in three years,” said Carty. “I was still in school on Friday and began teaching the following Monday, moving from West Virginia to Georgia.”
According to Carty, working at an after-school program inspired her to choose the educational pathway.
“I often think back to that program and remember why I was involved. It was never about making money. I worked there to be around the students and that enjoyment was the same feeling I wanted in my future career,” said Carty.
“When I began attending Marshall University, I loved the classes and the curriculum. I enjoyed making games, creating lesson plans and being actively involved in the classroom. I was in awe at how amazing the experience was.”
From these beginnings, Carty would become a patient and nurturing teacher. She focused on problem-solving for the real world and working one-on-one with students to meet their needs and help them succeed.
“I try to provide real-life opportunities for students and make connections with each student. Connections are the most important aspect of being a teacher because students are going to want to learn from you, be involved in the learning process and actively seek you out when they need help or want to show you the knowledge they already possess,” said Carty.
To prepare for her new position, Carty visited Midway Hills Academy on several occasions. She said Dr. Carlyle has been very helpful in preparing her and introducing her to the school’s community.
“Since my teaching experience has been in Baldwin County, it has prepared me to be a leader in this county. I have connections to this community and these families. And, Dr. Carlyle has been very generous and helpful in reintroducing me to Midway Hills Academy,” said Carty. “I’m excited to carry on the success the students and staff already have at Midway Hills Academy.”
On July 1, Carty will officially be the new principal at Midway Hills Academy.