Volume I Issue VI
TIGER TALK
Highschool Math
Middle School Science
Ted Boyd
Katie McGinnis
Second Grade
Second Grade
April Poss
Caitlyn Welsh
Kindergarten
Amanda Duff
Highschool English
Alicia Mahan
Middle School English
Special Education
Caylee Cronan
Jamie Bennett
Elizabeth Coggins
Special Education
E l i z a b e t h C o g g i n s
Pre-K
Natalie Eckenroad
Ted Boyd
Ted Boyd, recent addition to the high school math department, is from Armuchee, Georgia.
When questioned about his family, he mentioned his wife of 32 years and described their two sons, stating “my oldest is T.C. he is 28 and then my youngest son is 24.”
Boyd took the journey of becoming a teacher through a “Bachelor's Degree from Shorter College in 1986, a masters from Jacksonville State in 1992 and [a] specialist degree from the University of Alabama in 2000”
He noted that his education journey was influenced by former teachers; furthermore, when asked about his speciality in math he explained the challenges, experienced while studying in college, were ultimately the deciding factor.
Boyd explains that he “retired from teaching in Georgia and had been working at the Gaylesville school and heard about a position coming open here at Cedar Bluff.” Moreover, Boyd expressed that he “enjoyed working and teaching here in Alabama, so [he] talked to Mr. Thrasher and he offered [Boyd] the job.”
When questioned on his experience at Cedar Bluff so far he states that he really [enjoys] Cedar Bluff, it’s a great school and seems to be a great community that everyone is extremely proud of.”
Katie McGinnis
Someone who is new to teaching, but is not new to Cedar Bluff is Katie McGinnis, who the students now call Coach McGinnis. Coach McGinnis grew up and graduated from Cedar Bluff High School.
When asked what led her back to Cedar Bluff McGinnis stated that it was “mostly family.”
“Being seven hours away was rough sometimes,” McGinnis said.
After graduating high school, McGinnis attended three different colleges: Jacksonville State, Gadsden State to play softball, and then Brunswick Georgia to finish softball and eventually graduate.
What made McGinnis choose her major in teaching was wanting to become a coach, along with her love for being around children. Teachers she had in school also impacted her life.
“There were a couple of teachers who really did change my life for the better.”
McGinnis is teaching junior high science, as well as coaching softball and junior varsity
basketball.
Being a first-year teacher, McGinnis said that the transition from student to teacher was “different” and that all of the sudden responsibilities were challenging, but easier at the same time because she is in charge of her own classroom.
“I like teaching and I wanted to be like the good teachers, the ones you make connections with.”
April Poss
April Poss, the new second grade teacher, although being new to Cedar Bluff School, is no stranger to Cherokee County, as she was a graduate from Gaylesville.
The inspiration to return to Cherokee County, and especially to Cedar Bluff, was found in family roots. Poss said, “All of my family lives here, and it was a natural move to return home.”
During her high school career at Gaylesville, she was inspired to teach by her chemistry teacher, Mrs. Stallings.
”She had a passion for educating, which bled over to her students.”
Teaching, therefore, allows Poss to enjoy what she loves: “helping others, especially little kids.”
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According to Poss, she appreciates the traditions of Cedar Bluff. “It’s a great school with excellent academics and athletics,” said Poss.
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Poss said Cedar Bluff has been a truly inviting place to work. “The school staff is very friendly, and I love the kids I get to teach.”
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Caitlin Welsh
Caitlin Welsh is not only an addition to Cedar Bluff’s latest teachers but she is also the daughter of one of our many beloved elementary teachers, Nikki Gosset. Moreover, other than her mother, Welsh states that her family consists of her dad, her sister and her husband.
Then, when asked about where she obtained her degree(s), she responded that she attended Jacksonville State University and Gadsden State Community College. After being asked about her choice of college, Welsh states that she chose her major because she has “always wanted to be a teacher.”
Furthermore, that her mom inspired her to pursue teaching. To conclude, Welsh conveys her appreciation for teaching by stating that her experience has been “tiring but fun.”
Amanda Duff
Amanda Duff joined the Cedar Bluff family this summer as a fourth edition to our kindergarten unit.
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Duff, originally from Summerville, graduated from Kennesaw State University, and was led to this area by her husband, a Gaylesville alumni.
Initially, Duff worked as a secretary in pediatrics: however she felt the call to teach.
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“I began working at the hospital because my mom is a nurse, and my dad works in the hospital as a counselor, so I got a job at the hospital and I found out I really loved being around kids but not so much the medical part of it.” said Duff.
She chose teaching as her major because of her fourth grade teacher and her mom.
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“My mom was my homeschool teacher and was a big part of giving her passion for learning and a big part inspiring her to be a teacher.”
Duff is excited about her new journey at Cedar Bluff.
Alicia Mahan
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A new face to Cedar Bluff is Alicia Mahan who teaches 9th and 10th grade English.
“I always wanted to be a teacher; I like my job and I like working with high schoolers,” Mahan stated.
Mahan attended high school at Ider and is currently living in Fort Payne, along with her husband, Makenzie, and their 2 dogs.
Mahan earned her degree from Shorter University, not far from here in Rome, Georgia.
She chose her particular major in teaching because of her lifelong love for a book and a pen. “I always really liked to read and to write,” Mahan said.
Mahan is excited about being a part of the Cedar Bluff family.
“I saw an opening to come to Cedar Bluff, and I took it.”
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In her experience of five years in teaching, Mahan said Cedar Bluff was different from other schools in how it operates, as well as how the staff supports one another. “It is much more organized; in addition, everybody is very friendly and helpful.”
Because of the support, as well as the students, Mahan loves teaching at CBHS.
Jamie Bennett
Jamie Bennett is a fourth through sixth grade special education teacher who Cedar Bluff gained over the summer.
Though originally from Southside, AL, Bennett currently lives in Rome, GA, with her husband and son.
She is a graduate from Jacksonville State, as well as UAB, with a Bachelor’s degree in special education k-12 and a Master’s degree in English as a Second Language.
“I was led to Cedar Bluff by God and lots of prayer!” Bennett muses.
According to Bennett, she chose her major because she has worked with special needs children in some capacity since she was 14.
“I love their smiles, and how proud they are when they reach a goal.”
Teaching became an aspiration when her high school best friend could not read.
According to Bennett, “He was dyslexic, and he was embarrassed and labeled.”
The teacher always let her read his test to him in the hall, and she knew she did not want to see anyone struggle as much as he did. Therefore, she chose teaching as a career in hopes of helping students who might face similar challenges.
Cedar Bluff, to Bennett, has been welcoming since day one. She said this school is different from her previous schools in that it is a small community with a close-knit staff.
“Cedar Bluff truly is a family, and I am glad to be a part of it.”
Elizabeth Coggins
Beth Coggins has joined our high school special education department, working with middle school students.
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Coggins grew up near Noccalula Falls with her husband, Roger, and family.
“When I married Roger, I gained two sons, both of whom have graduated. The oldest is studying to become a math teacher.”
She is a graduate from Jacksonville State University and was led to Cedar Bluff because of the shorter drive, as well as a smaller student body. She chose her major at Lee University in a chapel service and felt called to deaf ministry.
Coggins knew she had to learn about more about hearing impairment, and interpreting or education was her top two decisions. After thinking, she decided education seemed fit more to her. According to Coggins, she loves the connections she makes with all of her students and finds joy in seeing them succeed.
“I like the ‘velcro’ moments when I can stick a new idea onto something a student already knows to help them remember it better,” said Coggins.
In her previous 19 years, Coggins has worked as an itinerant at different campuses across St. Clair County with not only auditory impaired students but also students at a probationary campus--a great difference, she points out, from Cedar Bluff.
“I have loved it here,” Coggins said. “The returning staff have welcomed me and have offered help when I need it. The students have accepted me and have shown so much respect.”
This is Coggins’ first time to work solely at a combined elementary, middle, and high school, a new experience she enjoys.
“I like the wide age range of a K-12 school where I can interact with the littles for a short time, and hold meaningful conversations with young adults.”