Editor’s note: Each school’s teacher of the year and staff of the year will have a feature article in the coming weeks.
Tallapoosa County Board of Education announced Eric Thompson as District Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025.
During Monday’s board meeting, each teacher of the year and support staff of the year was recognized from their schools. While presenting Reeltown High School teacher of the year, superintendent Casey Davis asked Thompson to remain standing as he announced him as the district teacher of the year.
“Wow I’m kind of taken aback; oh man, I feel like I just won the Grammy’s,” Thompson said upon receiving the award. “Thank you and I am very honored to be in the company of such wonderful people who make a difference in their schools.”
He said one of the greatest lessons as a teacher and a band director is the power of listening. Thompson has worked with parents, teachers, administrators and students, who are committed to listening to one another and just that can make a big difference.
Reeltown High School principal Audrey Stockdale said Thompson is so much more than a band director. He has started the leadership band team for students, giving them leadership opportunities, and he is supportive of each student and their pursuits. He is someone who wants to see students succeed, whether it's through music, the arts or something else entirely.
The board also recognized the following:
• Lindsay McKelvey as Dadeville Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year.
• Janice Schuster as Dadeville Elementary School’s Support Staff of the Year.
• Brownie Caldwell as Dadeville High School’s Teacher of the Year.
• Jennifer Tharpe as Dadeville High School’s Support Staff of the Year.
• Julie Carlisle as Horseshoe Bend School Elementary Teacher of the Year.
• Georgia Smith as Horseshoe Bend School Secondary Teacher of the Year.
• Mercedes Dunham as Horseshoe Bend School Support Staff of the Year.
• Brandy Sheppard as Reeltown Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
• Jadie Hood as Reeltown Elementary School Support Staff of the Year.
• Deputy Kaylie Painter as Reeltown High School Support Staff of the Year.
