Shelby Hill named Laurens County’s Teacher of the Year

Shelby Hill was surprised and grateful when Superintendent Clifford Garnto called out her name as Laurens County’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Hill walked to the front of the room to receive her plaque from Garnto and later took a seat in her new recliner, a traditional prize to the system’s top teacher. 

“This was a big surprise,” said Hill, who was the representative for Northwest Laurens Elementary School but is now a teacher at West Laurens High School. “I know several of these other teachers, and a lot of people in this room were my teachers and they inspired me to become a teacher myself.” 

In fact, her mother, Janett Baggett, was a teacher and had been quoted during the video part of the program as saying Hill was better at teaching.

“It’s good to hear her say that, but she is who I have aspired to be,” said Hill, who teaches resource literature and American government for students with disabilities. “I love what I do and I enjoy going to work every day.”  

NWLE Principal J.T. Dean called Hill an amazing teacher.

“She always creates highly-engaging lessons,” Dean said. “Her students enjoy her lessons and class.” 

Garnto thanked all of the teachers who were named as their school’s teachers of the year. Those included: Antonio Green (Crossroad Alternative School), Pamela Howell (West Laurens Middle School), Anitra Johnson (East Laurens High School), Meredith Lawhorn (West Laurens High School), Naomi Pope (East Laurens Primary School), Tammaro Smith (East Laurens Elementary School), Jennifer Wood (East Laurens Middle School) and Jaime Young (Southwest Laurens Elementary School).

“This is the best event we have every year,” Garnto said of the 2025 Teacher of the Year Celebration Breakfast. “You have been chosen by your peers. We appreciate the job that you do.”

Each teacher’s principal had a chance to say a few words about them, starting with East Laurens Primary principal Brandy Purser about Pope.

“She is phenomenal in ways that teachers could only be called to this profession can be,” Purser said. “We are extremely proud to have her at East Laurens Primary.” 

ELES Principal Kelly Dean said said Smith teaches from the time she walks in until she walks out at the end of the school day. 

“She has made an impact on about 1,000 kids in her career,” Dean said. “Her son chose to go in the same profession and he is now a teacher at East Laurens Elementary, and they are also on the same hall.” 

Garrett Cannon, principal at ELMS, said Wood has been teaching for 18 years.

“She has been a big help to me,” Cannon said. “The impact that she’s had is very far reaching. Her classroom is a place you really want to be.” 

ELHS Principal Keldrick Blue described Johnson as one of the most influential staff members in his building.

“She is a team player,” Blue said. “She is everything you want in as a leader. She has this rapport with our students.”

Ed Bland, SWLE principal, said Young has been teaching for 13 years. 

“She has done a great job and it is good that her school recognizes that,” Bland said.

WLMS principal Reed Waldrep said Howell puts in a lot of hours as a media art teacher.

“She works from 7:15 in the morning to who knows when at night,” Waldrep said. “She runs the school store and is teaching students while doing that. To see the look on a kids face when they go up to her is all you need to know about her as a teacher.” 

WLHS principal Dewana Kemp said Lawhorn has been a teacher for 17 years and is the type that every principal would like to have in their school.

“She gets along with all her co-workers and students,” Kemp said. “She can teach all kinds of students. She challenges all of her students to do their best.” 

Torrence Pittman, principal at Crossroads Alternative School, said none of the teachers there wanted to vote for a representative because they all said Green was their choose.

“He is the same person every day,” Pittman said. “He comes in with a smile on his face every day. This is his third year with us, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him complain one time. He is one of the best teaches Laurens County has in our system.” 

A video showing all of the teachers in their classrooms was shown. Each segment representing a teacher included students making good comments about them. 

“Hearing what the students had to say about their teacher makes you know that what you are doing is worthwhile, and it impacts them in their future,” said Hill, who has been a teacher for nine years. “That is really cool to hear.”