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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 Jodi Vaughn, an eighth-grade Georgia Studies teacher at Long Cane Middle School. We asked her 20 questions, and we shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Jodi Vaughn has worked in education for 18 years, all with the Troup County School System. She has been at Long Cane for 10 years and previously worked at Gardner Newman Middle School.

Jodi and her husband Jeremy have been married for 24 years. Jeremy works for the City of LaGrange in the Telecommunications Department. They have three daughters. Their oldest daughter Kirstin graduated from Troup High in 2022 and is currently enrolled as a full-time student at LaGrange College.  Sophie is currently a junior at Troup and and Izzy is in the 8th grade at LCMS.

Vaughn has coached LCMS volleyball with Suzie Cook for several years. All three of her daughters played volleyball throughout the years.

What are your career aspirations? 

“Prior to teaching, I worked at DFCS, so I don’t have that many years before I am eligible to retire. However, I am scheduled to begin my specialist in January through UWG in Instructional technology”

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

“If I wasn’t a teacher, I would love to work in forensics. I have always loved crime shows and mystery crime books.  In college, I majored in Criminal Justice at CSU before getting my masters in teaching.”

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

“My students would probably be surprised that I took dance lessons as a kid.  For years, I took tap and ballet classes at the CEA with Mrs. Jennie Gordy. I have never been the most graceful person.”

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

“One historical figure that I would invite into my class I would pick Booker T. Washington. He was a strong supporter of technical schools. Every year our 8th graders visit Thinc, and they have the opportunity to see hands-on jobs that they could choose as careers.  When we talk in class, I pull Booker T. Washinton’s lessons and from my days at DFCS that these programs are short degrees that you could be making good money doing.  Not all kids are going to attend college, and they should see that there are other avenues out there for them outside of a 4 year degree.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“Middle school students are full of hormones and emotions. They are starting to figure out who they want to be. I just love seeing “my kids” as they get older and grow into their personalities. I love that I get to witness all the things they are accomplishing in their lives.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

“One of the most challenging parts of teaching middle school is that it is just an awkward time for kids. While I love watching them grow into who they are, it can be hard helping them work through their ‘growing pains.’”

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

“Administrators had just visited my teammate Melinda Golden’s room to announce her win. When they came back down the hall with my family, I was completely shocked. I am honored to represent LCMS as Teacher of the Year this year as I know there are so many in this building that are showing up for these kids every day to help them learn but also to help them become good people.”

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

“On the weekends and especially during the summer, I love to travel, read and rest.”

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? 

“One key takeaway that I hope my students carry with them is a love of history or at least an understanding of how it has shaped their lives today. Ultimately, I hope that my students can apply the skills learned in my class to be active participants in their civic duties.”