The Baldwin County School District (BCSD) honored its teachers of the year Oct. 26 at a gala hosted in the Georgia College & State University Magnolia Ballroom.
Chastity Hatcher of Midway Hills Primary, Dr. Jamie Steinmeyer of Lakeview Academy, Crystal Williams of Oak Hill Middle School, Kizzi Walker of Midway Hills Academy, Mary McCue of Lakeview Primary School, and Carmen Lester of Baldwin High School were named as 2023-24 Teachers of the Year.
Chastity Hatcher returned to Baldwin County five years ago to teach at Midway Hills Primary. She says her favorite part of teaching is building relationships with her students, witnessing their growth, and bonding with them throughout the year. While initially nervous about the transition from pre-K to second grade, she says she soon discovered her love for the latter and has been teaching second grade ever since.
As a self-contained PEC (Special Education) teacher at Lakeview Academy, Dr. Jamie Steinmeyer has spent over two decades making a profound impact on the lives of children with special needs. As Steinmeyer explains, special education requires teachers to plan meticulously and be prepared for the unexpected. Steinmeyer aptly describes it as “planning for anything to happen.” What sets Steinmeyer apart is her extraordinary ability to remain calm and composed in the face of challenging circumstances.
Crystal Williams is the dance teacher at Oak Hill Middle School. For Williams, dance is not just an art form but a tool to connect with students, nurture their talents, and watch them flourish. Williams embarked on her dance journey at the age of four and went on to pursue a career as a professional dancer, traveling the world and performing on renowned stages, including Broadway. Eventually during her teaching career, when faced with the discontinuation of the dance program in Greene County, Williams chased her passion to inspire and create through dance into Baldwin County.
Coach Kizzi Walker serves as a fifth-grade math teacher at Midway Hills Academy, a Team One special instruction course. With seven years of dedicated service at Midway Hills Academy, Walker’s experience both within and outside of the district are vast. She is widely known as “Coach Walker” due to her impressive involvement in sports. Walker’s journey from student-athlete at Baldwin High School to teacher and coach at Midway Hills Academy reflects her deep connection to the community and her unwavering commitment to the betterment of young lives.
Mary McCue has been a cornerstone of Lakeview Primary School for the past seven years, teaching primarily in the first grade. She delights in helping her students make friends, instilling respect, and witnessing their growth throughout the school year. She describes her classroom as a “family” where mistakes are embraced and overcome together, fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment. Her unwavering dedication to teaching has seen her through 27 years of shaping young minds.
Last but not least, Carmen Lester grew up in Milledgeville and graduated from Baldwin High School where she now plays a pivotal role in the inclusion model as a special education teacher. She co-teaches with fellow educators, providing support to both students and teachers. She has taught for eight and a half years, including her start as an intern in South Georgia. Her commitment to inclusive education and her ability to adapt to change make her a valuable asset to the Baldwin County School District.
The Baldwin County School District congratulated each of these teachers at their annual gala and brought them together to announce the 2023-24 Baldwin District Teacher of the Year. This year, Mary Ashley McCue was chosen to receive this honor and will now compete at the state level. To learn more about each of these teachers, visit online at baldwincountyschoolsga. org/blog.