Julian Harris Elementary School's 2015 Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Jessica Lindsey

Julian Harris Elementary School is proud to announce that Mrs. Jessica Lindsey is their 2015 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Lindsey is a graduate of Athens State University. She graduated in the spring of 2003 and began teaching at Julian Harris Elementary where she still works as an integral part of her students’ lives. She has always had the desire to be a teacher, “It’s just who I am and what I’ve always wanted to be” said Mrs. Lindsey. In college she worked at a day care and instantly connected with the older elementary children. It was then that she knew she wanted to teach fourth or fifth grade. Throughout her career at Julian Harris she has had the opportunity to teach both fourth and fifth grade. She credits her inspiration and passion for teaching to her mother. Mrs. Lindsey said her mother is her example of patience, consistency, innovation, and a loving attitude. Congratulations Mrs. Lindsey on earning Teacher of the Year at Julian Harris Elementary!

Cedar Ridge Middle School's 2015 Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Tammy Pickens

Mrs. Tammy Pickens was ecstatic when she heard the news she had been named the 2015 Teacher of the Year for Cedar Ridge Middle School. Mrs. Pickens teachers sixth grade science. She has been teaching for 23 years between Jefferson County, Decatur City Schools, a short break with AMSTI, and finally “back home” (as she said) with Decatur City Schools. Mrs. Pickens has been teaching since her childhood - being the oldest of four children. She would come home from school and teach her younger brother what she had learned in school that day. all the time! Mrs. Pickens majored in elementary education and originally did not want to teach sixth grade. Of course, the first job she got teaching was sixth grade and she has loved it ever since! Throughout her teaching career Pickens has taught third through sixth grade and has enjoyed each level for various different reasons. The teacher who Mrs. Pickens got her inspiration from was her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Holland. Mrs. Holland was always kind and caring to her students and eventually later became Mrs. Pickens Sunday School teacher. When asked about a different career, Mrs. Pickens knew it would have to involve problem solving. Her other two choices were becoming a mystery writer or an investigator! Decatur City Schools would again like to congratulate Mrs. Pickens on this honor.