City schools name Teachers of the Year
Calhoun City Schools recently named its teachers of the year for each school in the system.
Calhoun Primary School — Mrs. Jayla
Serritt
Calhoun Primary School is proud to announce that Mrs. Jayla Serritt has been selected by her peers as their 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year. This school year marks Jayla’s 15th year in education. She started her career with Calhoun City Schools in 2006 where she has worked as a paraprofessional, kindergarten teacher, and currently, a second grade teacher. Mrs. Serritt serves as the English language arts lead teacher for her grade level. Mrs. Serritt holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood from Covenant College and a masters degree from Piedmont College. She also holds a gifted endorsement. Jayla is married to Shane Serritt, and they have two children. Chandler is a 2021 Calhoun High School graduate, and Alivia is a 6th grader at Calhoun Middle School. Jayla’s peers shared the following statements about her, “Jayla is a wonderful grade level leader who puts the extra mile into her work. She works hard to design engaging lessons for her students and is always there to help her peers. Jayla is kind, fair, and truly loves all her students. She strives to capture kids’ hearts on a daily basis, and it shows.” Congratulations to CPS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Jayla Serritt! The Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by First Bank of Calhoun and we appreciate their support as we recognize our outstanding teachers!
Calhoun Elementary School — Mrs.
Danielle Ruff
Calhoun Elementary School is proud to announce that Mrs. Danielle Ruff has been selected by her peers as their 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year. This school year marks Danielle’s 10th year in education. She started her career in Cartersville and joined the CES staff in 2017. She currently teaches 5th grade math, science and social studies. Mrs.Ruff is known for planning engaging lessons for her students, and she shares many of these activities on her teacher page called, “Shining the Light on 5th Grade.” Mrs.Ruff holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Georgia Southern University and a masters degree in curriculum and instruction from the American College of Education. She also holds both gifted and ESOL endorsements. Danielle is married to Kyle Ruff and together they have 2 children. Hannah is 5 years old and is in the Brown Bear class at Calhoun Pre-K, and Luke will turn two in February. Danielle’s peers shared the following statements about her, “Danielle constantly exhibits what a teacher should always do for her students and team. She has remarkable relationships with her students and works hard every day to engage them in learning. She is a true leader whose leadership skills come naturally. She displays teacher of the year qualities daily.” Congratulations to Calhoun Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Danielle Ruff! The Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by First Bank of Calhoun and we appreciate their support as we recognize our outstanding teachers!
Calhoun Middle School — Mrs. Rhonda
Wells
Calhoun Middle School is proud to announce that Mrs. Rhonda Wells has been selected as the 20222023 Teacher of the Year. Rhonda has been teaching for 26 years and loves her profession. She is passionate about helping students reach their full potential and encouraging them to believe in themselves. She believes all kids can learn and works tirelessly to help them reach their potential. Rhonda attended Valdosta State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in middle grades math in 1996. She taught at Adairsville Middle for 22 years before moving to Calhoun. Rhonda has been married for 25 years to Kelly Wells and they have three children: Kelly (11th grade), Thomas (10th grade), and Catherine (8th grade). They are active in football, wrestling, soccer, and volleyball. Rhonda also works as the coach for the Calhoun Fishing Team. Her colleagues describe her as always going above and beyond to do what is best for students. She goes beyond the call of duty to differentiate lessons to all levels of learners in her class and to make sure her students achieve their best. She develops a strong relationship with all of her students and cares for them deeply. Rhonda gives her time to help students who are struggling and is always available to students and
parents. Mrs. Wells is an outstanding educator and is a living example of what it means to be the light! Congratulations to the CMS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Rhonda Wells! The Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by First Bank of Calhoun and we appreciate their support as we recognize our outstanding teachers!
Calhoun High School — Mr. Tommie
Hoblitzell
Calhoun High School is proud to announce that Mr. Tommie Hoblitzell has been selected as the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year. Coach Hoblitzell is currently in his 24th year in education and has spent the past 14 years at Calhoun High School where he serves as a weight training teacher, the CHS football strength coordinator, and the inside linebackers coach for the CHS football team. During his tenure at Calhoun, he has earned three state titles as an assistant coach on the 2011, 2014 and 2017 state champion Yellow Jacket football teams. In 1998, he began his career at Dade County High School in Trenton, GA, as an elementary physical education teacher and assistant coach of football, basketball, and track. In 2000, he and his family moved to Rome, GA. where he served as the weight training teacher and assistant football coach at Rome High School until 2007. Coach Hoblitzell has earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education, as well as an educational specialist degree from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. Coach Hoblitzell also played football for the JSU Gamecocks. He and his wife Stacy have been married for 23 years. They have three children: Tripp, a 2019 graduate of CHS and currently a junior at BirminghamSouthern College; Anna, a 2021 graduate of CHS and a freshman at Jacksonville State University; and Addie Grace who is a 6th grade student at Calhoun Middle School. Coach Hoblitzell’s peers stated, “Many do not realize the long hours that Coach Hoblitzell puts in on behalf of our students. He is very dedicated to his job and makes a positive impact on the students he works with. He modifies workouts so students can see results that relate to confidence. Coach Hoblitzell is well respected and loves Calhoun. He does a fantastic job with his students...working to pull the absolute best out of his students and also fostering intrinsic motivation within them. Oftentimes having the same kids throughout their high school career, he builds lasting relationships with his students that last far beyond high school. While there is no test to give data on how effective a teacher Coach Hobs is, you can look at how his students change over time in his class to see how effective he is.” Congratulations to the CHS Teacher of the Year, Mr. Tommie Hoblitzell! The Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by First Bank of Calhoun and we appreciate their support as we recognize our outstanding teachers!