Congratulations Graduates!

Michelle Brazel was named Crisp County School System's 2014 Teacher of the Year. Michelle is a 2nd Grade teacher at J.S. Pate Elementary School. BOE member Dr. Erskine Weaver presented Michelle with an Arthur Court tray in recognition of her achievement.

Mr. Steve Ingram, President of the Kiwanis Club, presented each Teacher of the Year with an Arthur Court tray in recognition of their selection as their school's Teacher of the Year. To view pictures of each honoree, please see the District News article "Michelle Brazel Named Crisp County School System's 2014 Teacher of the Year."

• Toni Lanneau, O'Neal Pre-K
• Jennifer Richardson, Blackshear Trail Elementary School
• Michelle Brazel, J.S. Pate Elementary School
• Dr. Yolanda Smith, A.S. Clark Elementary School
• Myra Vaughn, Southwestern Elementary School
• Amy Cravey, Crisp County Middle School
• Merritt Fields, Crisp County High School

The school system wishes to thank the Kiwanis Club for providing the funding for the trays for our Teachers of the Year.

The school year has ended, but we encourage students to stay involved in reading over the summer.  We are all aware of the “summer slide” that occurs when students do not read on a regular basis and begin to fall behind in reading achievement.  To prevent this, we would like to share with you a national, state-led summer reading initiative that supports students in finding great books to read over the summer.

The Georgia Department of Education is launching the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge to combat this summer loss in student reading ability.   The Lexile “Find a Book” website can help identify books that students are interested in and are able to read.  We also have information about how to use Lexiles on student test reports.

The end of the school year is a busy time, but it is important that we do what we can to ensure young people continue to learn and challenge themselves.  We appreciate you joining our Summer Reading Challenge efforts to help students “Find-a-Book” and increase their reading skills.

Additional related documents are available in the District News article "2013 Summer Reading Challenge."

Rhonda S. Hayes, Ph.D. assumed the duties and responsibilities of Superintendent of Crisp County Schools effective March 13, 2013.

Hayes was born and raised in Albany, Georgia. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Danny Hayes, and they have one daughter, Aubree Hayes McCurdy, and two grandchildren. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Policy Studies with an emphasis on Leadership and Learning from Georgia State University, a master’s degree in Reading Specialist from Georgia Southwestern State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southwestern State University. She also received her National Board Teacher Certification in 2000.  She has been a speaker at numerous state and national literacy conferences.

Her career in education spans over 30 years with experiences ranging from classroom teacher, consultant, to school leader as a literacy coach, district leader as Curriculum Director, and Assistant Superintendent of Content and Engagement. She has lived and worked in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky with the majority of her experiences being in Georgia. 

Hayes searched for a district whose mission, vision and beliefs aligned with her personal belief that all children can learn more and at higher levels. Because Crisp County Schools are committed to providing a superior academic program and is focusing on learning and graduating the leaders of tomorrow, she says this is a perfect place for her to begin the next chapter in her career.  

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