January SuperStar Teacher: Celebrating Elizabeth Hastings at Austin Junior High School in Decatur
Elizabeth Hastings, a 9th-grade Biology teacher at Austin Junior High School in Decatur, has been named the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce's SuperStar Teacher for January. Our presenting sponsor, Hubbard & Drake General - Mechanical Contractors, Inc., represented by Brian Beidleman, along with Seddrick Williams, a member of the Chamber's Board of Directors, and Chamber staff, surprised Mrs. Hastings with a $150 gift card for her classroom, a $50 gift card for personal use and a $1,000 grant awarded to Austin Junior High School from the Chamber’s One Vision
In his nomination, Principal Tommie Johnson highlighted Mrs. Hastings impact on her students and colleagues stating: “She is a team player and always willing to assist students, colleagues and administration in making Austin Junior High School a great place to learn. She embraces new district curriculum initiatives and willingly helps implement those initiatives at the school level with a good attitude. In addition to helping others, she seeks out ways to better herself as evidenced by her recent completion of a leadership certificate in educational administration. She participates in ongoing professional development, which she then turns around to colleagues and implements with students. In her biology classroom, a visitor would see hands-on innovative methods for engaging students, including laboratories and experiments. Students typically collaborate with each other in groups and are engaged with the content. She is exceptional with classroom management and discipline. It is obvious she has a great rapport and students feel comfortable approaching her with science related inquiries and discussing things that take place outside of school. She makes a point to get to know each student so that she is able to help them be successful.”
The Chamber’s SuperStar Teacher program celebrates educators who make a significant impact on their students, colleagues and communities. For the 2024-2025 school year, the Chamber's One Vision Foundation will award a $1,000 grant to the school of each SuperStar Teacher of the Month. This initiative is part of the Chamber's ongoing commitment to recognizing and supporting outstanding educators in Decatur-Morgan County. The One Vision Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, funds these grants through the generous support of our Chamber members. Members can contribute through their invoices, or a tax-deductible donation can be made by visiting our website, www.dcc.org.