When asked about his favorite subject, Gilmer High School’s 2019-20 Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) Star Student said there’s just something about math that appeals to him.
“I feel satisfaction in doing it. I just feel something about it,” said STAR Student Nathan Jones, 18.
Student Teacher Achievement Recognitions are given each year to a student with the highest SAT score on a single test date and who, in terms of grade point average (GPA), is in the top 10 percent or among the top 10 students numerically at the end of their junior year.
Jones named Dr. Renee Hoard, mathematics teacher at GHS, as his STAR Teacher. Per PAGE guidelines, the STAR Teacher is selected by the STAR Student for having made the most significant contribution that student’s scholastic development.
“We are very proud of Mr. Jones and Dr. Hoard and the academic excellence they exemplify at Gilmer High,” commented Carla Foley, principal.
Jones said Hoard was influential in teaching her Honors Algebra II and AP Statistics class, as well as help she provided in an SAT/ACT prep course.
Tammy Bennett, guidance director at GHS, said students can earn one Carnegie unit credit for the semester-long elective class, which includes online tutorials, practice tests and test-taking strategies.
“She has helped me more than any other teacher and has made a really big impact on my academic career. I want to thank her for that, (especially) helping with the college process and figuring out the possibilities, helping me write papers and putting out everything I possibly could. (That’s something) I would have had a hard time doing by myself,” said Jones about why he picked Hoard as his STAR Teacher.
In return, Hoard noted Jones’ exemplary math skills, as well as his overall academic achievements.
“He is a math person, but does excellent in all his subjects. (As for math), he truly does feel it,” she said.
“I can give you an example of another teacher, who was doing a problem on the board. They had the problem done, but they were having trouble getting to the place where the answer was in the textbook. The next thing you know, Nathan said you do this and this to get to there. When you see someone with so much talent, it’s great to see them bloom so much from 9th-12th grade to become this amazing scholar and, more importantly, an amazing person.”
Jones, who attended grades K-12 at Gilmer County schools, is a past member of the TSA (Technology Student Association), History Honors Society, academic club and environmental club at GHS. He is the son of Charlie and Starla Jones, of Ellijay.
Jones said he plans to attend Georgia Tech after graduation. Though he’s not decided on a specific area of study yet, it’s likely that he will pursue an engineering or math-related major.
“I’m just happy I got in,” he said.
This is the third time that Hoard has been selected by different GHS students as a STAR Teacher, confirmed Foley. She was first selected for the recognition in 2017 by student Tyler Queen, then again in 2019 by Ethan Romanick, one of two GHS STAR Students that year.
“There are so many amazing teachers at Gilmer High School, so being selected a STAR Teacher is such an honor. I can honestly say I love my job each and every day. I am so blessed to be a part of the Gilmer County Charter School System and to teach such amazing young people,” Hoard said.
Georgia STAR Students and Teachers receive special recognition from more than 170 statewide civic organizations and businesses, which serve as local sponsors for the program. Gilmer High’s sponsoring organization for the program is the Ellijay Lions Club.
“The STAR Student will be recognized at a local banquet hosted by the Lions Club. In March, each STAR in the region will be honored at a banquet in Dahlonega. The winner of each region will then be honored at a state banquet in late April,” noted Bennett.