EDITOR’S NOTE: The LaGrange Daily News is doing a Q&A with all of the teachers of the year in the Troup County School System. Today, we are writing about Tishana Hines, Academic Interventionist and RTI Chair at The Hope Academy. We asked her 20 questions, and we shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Tishana Hines has worked in education for nine years with eight in the Troup County School System and the last seven at The Hope Academy.

Hines has three daughters. One just graduated from Fort Valley State University, one attends Gordon State College and one is an Eighth grader who is cheer captain, on the basketball team and a majorette dance team member. 

Hines is a member of The Junior Service League and a choir member at Rocky Mountain Baptist Church in Hogansville.

What are your career aspirations? 

“I aspire to lead a school within the district to success/remain successful in academics and building climate.”

If you weren’t a teacher, what career field would you be in? 

“If I wasn’t a teacher I would return to law school and finish that degree and work in contract law.” 

What hidden talent do you have that might surprise your students and our readers?

“My students would be surprised that I am an old-school gospel singer. They would also be surprised that I am an excellent swimmer.”

What fictional character (from a book, movie, TV show, etc.) represents your teaching style? “Miss Honey from ‘Matilda’ mixed with Cookie Lyon from ‘Empire’ — that’s me. I got that nurturing spirit like Miss Honey, seeing the potential in every single one of my babies, but I bring that Cookie Lyon energy — keeping it real, using music to connect, and not letting anyone put limits on what my students can achieve.”

What’s the most creative/unique project one of your classes has worked on?

“Hip-Hop Poetry Project! We took classic poems like Langston Hughes’ ‘Dreams’ and Maya Angelou’s ’till I Rise’ and my students created their own rap versions. They studied literary devices, metaphors, and rhythm while making something authentic to them.”

If you could invite any historical figure to speak to your class, who would you choose and why?

“Nina Simone, without a doubt. My students need to see how art, activism, and education can come together. She was unapologetically Black, brilliantly talented, and used her music to fight for justice. Plus, imagine her performing ‘Young, Gifted and Black’ right in our classroom! That’s the kind of inspiration my students need.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“The breakthrough moments! When that student who’s been struggling finally gets it, and their whole face lights up. Or when a child who’s been told they’re ‘bad’ discovers they’re actually a gifted writer. Those moments remind me why I do this.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

“Having to fight against a system that sometimes seems designed for my babies to fail. Seeing them deal with trauma, poverty and a world that too often judges them before knowing them. But that’s exactly why I show up every day – to be that constant love and support they deserve.”

What’s the most unusual excuse a student has given you for not completing their homework?   “Had a student tell me their little brother used their homework as scrap paper for math and forgot to give it back. The creativity alone deserved partial credit!”

What did it mean to you to be named your school’s teacher of the year? 

“It meant that loving hard and teaching differently is valued. I teach by the book but using strategies and material that my students can relate to and have some background knowledge of the material. I teach by the beat, by the heart. Being recognized told me that my way of reaching these children matters.”

On a weekend or a summer day when school is out, what are your favorite activities?

“I enjoy watching the ocean and swimming in the ocean on a family vacation. On a regular day when school is out I spend it watching movies with my children or shopping.”

As your students transition to the next grade or graduate in May, what is one key takeaway you hope they carry forward from their time in your class? 

“I need them to know that their voice matters, that their stories are powerful, and that they are brilliant beyond measure. I don’t just teach English – I teach self-love, resilience, and the power of using your voice. When they leave my classroom, I want them carrying the knowledge that they are somebody, and they’ve got something important to say to this world.”