School Board Member Earns Regional Educational Honor

UPDATE 5/17/22: Congratulations to Cherokee County School Board member Patsy Jordan, who yesterday was named the Central Region Teacher of the Year for Mountain Education Charter High School!  A longtime educator, Ms. Jordan earned the CCSD Teacher of the Year award during her tenure in our school district and, since retirement, she has served as a teacher for Mountain Ed's evening school programs in Pickens and Dawson counties. 

A Cherokee County School Board member has earned an esteemed educational honor!

Patsy Jordan, who has served on the School Board since 2013, is the Dawson County Mountain Education Charter High School Teacher of the Year.  Ms. Jordan, who retired from the Cherokee County School District after a successful career as an educator including being named the CCSD Teacher of the Year, has taught students through Mountain Ed in Dawson and Pickens counties for the last 12 years.

Through her role with Mountain Ed, Ms. Jordan teaches and supports students who have struggled to complete their high school studies.  The statewide program, which also includes a campus at Etowah High School through a partnership with CCSD, offers classes in the evening to accommodate the schedules of students who work during the day and/or take care of their family. 

“The stories I hear from students sometimes echo my own upbringing when they mention the fact that mama or daddy did not graduate from high school, so they probably will not either,” said Ms. Jordan, adding that her parents did not advance beyond middle school as they needed to work to support their family.  “From the time I was old enough to recall, my parents emphasized to me the importance of education.”

Ms. Jordan went on to be the first in her family to graduate from high school and then the first to earn a college degree.  It took Ms. Jordan many years to earn her degree, as she worked as a school custodian, bus driver and paraprofessional to put herself through evening college classes.  She fulfilled her dream to become a certified teacher at age 40.

“The joy I receive from seeing students break barriers is priceless,” she said.  “My hope for each student who I teach or cross paths with is for them to instinctively see my strong sense of self-worth and feel that their dreams can become a reality just as mine did.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said Ms. Jordan is one of the most inspiring educators he has ever known.

“Generations of students and families have been blessed by Patsy’s devotion and care,” he said.  “She is a master teacher, and she has a servant’s heart.  We are deeply grateful for the many years she taught our students and that she continues her service on the School Board and through Mountain Ed.  I know our community will join me in congratulating Patsy on this well-earned honor.”
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