MOULTRIE, GEORGIA – July 28, 2025 – The 2025-2026 school year kicked off with a convocation for all district employees on Monday, July 28, 2025. The Teacher of the Year and BRAVO Employee of the Year were announced as part of the convocation ceremony. Mrs. Jodi Beth Stuckey of Cox Elementary was named the Teacher of the Year, and Mr. Jerrell Anderson of C.A. Gray Junior High was named the BRAVO Employee of the Year.
Mrs. Jodi Beth H. Stuckey has been teaching for 19 years and currently teaches 5th grade special education, focusing on writing, math, and ELA. Before being announced as the winner, Mrs. Stuckey shared, "Being nominated for Teacher of the Year is a true honor. I feel incredibly unworthy, especially standing alongside such inspiring educators. This award belongs to the entire team at Cox Elementary. We walk this journey together with ONE goal—to impact students with purpose and love. I'm simply following the path God has laid before me." She and her husband, Will, are Moultrie natives, and he is also an educator in the district. The other District Teacher of the Year Award finalists were Mrs. Crystal Bell of Colquitt County High School and Mrs. Monyana Coasey of Funston Elementary.
Mr. Jerrell Anderson serves as the school registrar and has been in education for six years. He shares, "I'm blessed to support students academically, emotionally, and spiritually. For me, this is ministry—creating spaces where students feel seen and valued. I proudly share this recognition with all classified staff." He and his wife, Carmen, have served as surrogates to many children in their community. The other BRAVO award finalists included Mrs. Lee Bankston from Colquitt County High School and Mrs. Gabby Ramirez of R.B. Wright Elementary.
Thanks to the community's generosity, Mrs. Stuckey and Mr. Anderson each received a gift basket from local merchants and the Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce, a one-year YMCA membership, a custom Employee of the Year ring from Herff Jones, and a check for $3,850. Superintendent Dan Chappuis shared, "On behalf of our Board of Education and leadership team, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, school communities, and the selection committee. Your commitment to celebrating excellence in education is ONE of the things that makes this district so special."
Schools selected their nominations for the district award at the end of last school year. Each nominee and finalist received a gift bag of items and a monetary prize from the district. A panel of outside judges reviewed all the nomination packets over the summer to select this year's winners.