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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 Larry Murdock, who is a 5th Grade English Language Arts teacher at Ethel Kight Elementary School. We asked him 20 questions, and we shortened this interview to some of our favorite responses.

Murdock has worked in education for nine years; eight years at Ethel Kight Elementary and the Troup County School System and one year at Colonial Elementary School. 

Larry is married to his best friend, Brooke Murdock. 

“It was similar to a good old country song where you meet someone and instantly they are your person forever. I Love you, Brooke Craft Murdock,” said Larry.

Brooke teaches eighth grade at Long Cane Middle School. They have one son, Lucas Ray Murdock, who attends Hillcrest Elementary School. Lucas enjoys playing soccer, wrestling, and hanging out with friends and family in his free time. 

Along with teaching, Murdock coaches basketball and Fastest Kids at Ethel Kight Elementary. He has helped with these programs since he started teaching in 2015.

“I enjoy these roles because they allow me to build better relationships with my students outside of school,” said Murdock.

On top of teaching, Murdock was a football coach at Long Cane Middle School from 2016 to 2021. This is his second year as a Football coach at LaGrange High School. He also attends Rosemont Baptist church and is part of a Bible Study Group with young married couples from church. 

What inspired you to become an educator? (Or who?) 

“I had no idea I would ever become a teacher. I was at the end of my sophomore year, and my Academic Advisor encouraged me to take a teaching class because of my personality. I was in Dr. Gretta Milan’s class and she taught me what it was to truly be an accountable teacher. Ultimately, my education classes at Lagrange College, along with my student teaching placements, inspired me to become an educator and coach. “

What are your career aspirations? 

“I desire to become an elementary school Principal. I love what I do now and I am appreciative of the role I play at my school, but I am eager to learn more. I would also like the opportunity to teach at a middle and high school during my career. Teaching at all three levels will better equip me with the knowledge and experience to lead at any school God has led me to.”

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

“If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be a farmer. I grew up on a farm in South Georgia where my father had cows, chickens, horses, ducks, guineas, and over sixty deer/rabbit dogs. I love going back home to spend time with my dad on the farm.”

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

“I would say that my hidden talent is singing. It wouldn’t surprise my students because I sing for them every day. I enjoy being my authentic self with my students, and this helps them feel comfortable enough to be the same way in my classroom.”

 What fictional character (from a book, movie, TV show, etc.) represents your teaching style?

“When I first began teaching, I would compare myself to Joe Clark from the movie Lean on Me. Now that I am older and much wiser, I would compare myself to Denzel Washington from The Great Debaters mixed with Tyler James Williams from Abbot Elementary.”

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

“One of the most creative projects my classes have completed was the Black History Wax Museum. Watching my students own their learning is an incredible feeling. The outside may look at the museum as just a project, but it becomes much bigger because my students truly embrace their character.”

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

“I would choose Martin Luther King Jr. to speak to my class. I would pick him because most students already know who he is and have a basic understanding of what he is known for. He would have first-hand knowledge to share with my students based on the experiences he has endured and would be able to help continue to lead my students in the right direction.”

What’s the most rewarding part about your job? 

“The most rewarding part of my job is the mental and academic gains accomplished throughout the school year. I challenge my students to be the best version of themselves every day and put forth their maximum effort. We celebrate each other’s success, and you can tell they like the way it feels when it pays off.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job? 

“The most challenging part of my job is feeling like there is never enough time in the day or year to get everything taught. I truly love my subject, and I want to teach so that my students love it just as much. Thankfully, it all manages to come together in the end.”

What’s the most unusual excuse a student has given you for not completing their homework? 

“The most unusual excuse a student has given me was that their baby sibling ate their homework. I called the parent to discuss the situation, and it turns out that the sibling didn’t eat it, but did drool all over it.”

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

“I was honestly at a loss for words. Ethel Kight is an amazing school filled with some of the best teachers in Troup County. A lot of schools talk about being a family, but we truly are a family. Ethel Kight is where I completed my year-long student teaching with Kim Whaley and was hired by Candace McGhee. This school, its principal, administrators, and teachers cultivated me into the teacher I am today. Without the impact Ethel Kight has had on me, I am not sure if I would be the same kind of teacher that I am today.  Being named Teacher of the Year, reminded me of the impact I can make and continues to push me to be the best that I can be every day.”

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

“In my free time, you will find me at a beach, in a pool, or playing pickleball with my family and friends. My family and I love being active while having a good time, and we are also pretty competitive.”

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 I hope my students carry from their time in my class is a quote from Robert H. Schuller ‘“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”’ Leaving fifth grade is hard because students go from being at the top of the totem pole in elementary school to being at the bottom of the totem pole in middle school. I hope they continue to display the characteristics of a leader, which is what the expectations are in my classroom.”