Hall County Schools honors 37 teachers of the year, 94 retirees

The Hall County School District held its annual “Night of Honor” event Monday at Lanier Tech’s Ramsey Conference Center to recognize the district’s retirees and teachers of the year.

“They’re my heroes,” Hall County Superintended Will Schofield said. “And this is one of my most favorite days of the year because we get an opportunity to say thank you to these incredible educators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers who have just poured into our community.”

The school district honored 37 individuals who were selected by their peers to be named Teacher of the Year, including Steven McIntyre who was named the 2023-2024 System Teacher of the Year.

According to the district, McIntyre has taught audio-video technology at Chestatee High School since 2016 and currently serves on the school improvement team. He has also led his students in producing and live streaming school events such as award ceremonies and athletics.

“I enjoy working with my students every day, helping them achieve their goals and dreams,” McIntyre said to the district. “Getting to be a part of their journey to become successful adults is the most rewarding part of teaching. I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized as the Hall County School District Teacher of the Year.”

The district followed its Teacher of the Year recognitions with the district’s retirees. There were 94 people spread across all departments who retired from the school district this year. Collectively, these retirees committed 2,312 years of service to education, according to Hall County Schools Board of Education Chairman Craig Herrington.

“The Superintendent and the Hall County Board of Education express gratitude for their exemplary careers and dedicated service,” Herrington said. “[We] wish them many fulfilling years of enrichment, reaping the rewards of retirement.”

Among those 94 individuals who retired Monday was Principal Jeri Lynn Hutchins, who has served as the principal at Martin Technology Academy for the past five years. She was a former teacher at Martin and later became the assistant principal in 2005. Throughout her career, she also worked as a teacher at Spouts Springs Elementary and Friendship Elementary, she said.

“It’s bittersweet because I have loved every minute of working with the students, the teachers and the community, but after 30 years I have decided to do other things,” Hutchins said.

Hutchins has planned to spend more time with her family following retirement. She has taken many things away from teaching but after so many years in education, students have taught her to be a better listener the most, she said.

“Always listen more than you talk and listen to [students] because they have a lot to say,” Hutchins said. “I have learned so much by listening to them and what their point of view is and where they’re coming from and to just view life from that vantage point.”

The 2023-2024 teachers of the year are listed below: