Thomas County Middle School (TCMS) has recently named Fannetta Powell, eighth grade math teacher, as its 2017-18 Teacher of the Year. Powell has taught at TCMS for 14 years and currently teaches eighth grade mathematics on Alpha Company.
“Mrs. Powell is the consummate professional. She is persistent in preparing students for the rigors of Thomas County Central High School,” said Thomas County Middle School Principal Jamie Thompson. “Mrs. Powell is a resource to her students and the school. She serves as the Math department head for Thomas County Middle School and works to ensure that our math curriculum is aligned from 5th to 8th grade.”
Powell graduated from Valdosta State University in 1992 where she first began her college career in education. She eventually changed her major to social work, and graduated with a dual degree, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
In 1994, she began her career in social work at Mitchell County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). The following year, she moved to Thomas County DFCS and continued with similar responsibilities. Her job duties included working with families in crisis situations, finding homes for children who were removed from their primary home, assisting parents with parenting skills, and assisting parents with meeting their children’s daily needs of food, shelter, and clothing. She also handled child abuse and neglect investigations, and provided a variety of services for families in crisis. In June of 2002, Powell left social work to pursue her dream of being a teacher.
Powell went back and acquired her Master's degree in Middles Grades Mathematics and Science from Valdosta State University and began her teaching career at Central Middle School as a sixth grade mathematics teacher in 2004. She taught sixth grade for six years before moving to eighth grade mathematics where she is currently teaching and has taught since 2010. She is also a teacher leader where she serves as the Math Department Head.
Powell said that going back into education was like going back to her first love. She decided that she would “benefit society more by teaching mathematics.” She said that she loves being a teacher because she “loves to see students connect to the content and make the connections to the world around them of how to use these skills in everyday life.”
“I hold high expectations for my students in academics and behavior, because I think that they go hand in hand. My students know that I’m very consistent on both of these factors, and they understand and respect that,” says Powell.
Education is a lifelong journey, and Powell states that she is a lifelong learner.
Powell further said, “I am willing to change with the standards and make adjustments based on the needs of my students. Most of all, I set high expectations for my students and myself as an educator.” She is continuing that pursuit by working towards an Educational Specialist degree in Middle Grades Education from Georgia Southwestern University. Fannetta has been married for 23 years to Allen Powell Sr., Assistant Fire Chief at Thomasville Fire Department, and they have four boys and seven grandchildren. Her youngest two sons attend Valdosta State University.
Powell’s advice to new teachers would be to “consistently keep in mind what your passion is as a teacher. Be consistent with discipline and academics, and collaborate with other teachers. Accept constructive feedback as a time to grow and improve on your gift as an educator.”
Pictured below from left to right is TCMS Principal Jamie Thompson, Allen Powell, Sr., 2017-18 TCMS Teacher of the Year Fannetta Powell, Assistant Principal Deann Garcia, and Assistant Principal Todd Creech.
