Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Talking with Madison County Central School (MCCS) teacher Jamie Andrews, one can easily hear her passion for both teaching and the students she teaches. It is no surprise that when television station WCTV, from Tallahassee, received a nomination for their "Outstanding Teacher of the Month," from Andrews' husband, other local teachers and community members agreed that Andrews was deserving of the honor. Andrews was selected as the "Outstanding Teacher of the Month" for the month of November. The monthly award, sponsored by Envision Credit Union and WCTV, honors area teachers who are accomplishing great things in and out of the classroom. In addition to the recognition, those teachers receive several prizes, such as gift cards and a plaque. Andrews says it was "quite a surprise" when she found out that she had won.
Andrews has been teaching for 22 years in Georgia and in Madison. She received her bachelor's degree from Valdosta State University, after moving to the area from her native Homestead, Fla., in 1997. When Andrews' daughter began school at then Madison Academy, she began teaching there in order to be close to her daughter. Andrews taught at Madison Academy for 10 years before moving to MCCS, where she currently serves as an ESE facilitator for third grade students. Andrews works with some students with special learning needs who need "an extra little push," as well as students who aren't in need of special learning needs. As much as possible, students are placed in the same class, which benefits both groups of students. For the past couple of years, Andrews has had the same class of youngsters. "I really get to know the kids and their needs; I get to see what they are capable of," said Andrews. "At the same time, it makes it hard to say 'good-bye' to the students when they move on."
Outside the classroom, Andrews is involved with the Madison Junior Auxiliary. Through her service to the Junior Auxiliary, Andrews has helped the cause of literacy in Madison County. "I love serving Madison, it's such a great community." Andrews has also been instrumental in assisting teachers to find funding for special classroom projects through Donors Choose, a nationwide organization that matches donors with classroom projects, students' and teachers' needs. Andrews is married to her husband Billy and they have one daughter, Kylie, who is a senior at Florida State University, majoring in communications and journalism.
If there is a teacher you would like to nominate for the Envision Credit Union/WCTV Outstanding Teacher of the Month, you can do so by visiting https://wctv.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=656472.