On Monday, December 9th, educators in the Chattooga County School system met for a Teacher Professional Learning Day (PL Day) that included a conference-style workshop aimed at improving teaching practices and resources.

The event was successful, with teachers participating in sessions that targeted content standards, lesson strategies, and technology use. They could choose sessions that suited their individual needs, creating a customized professional development experience. This allowed teachers to explore subjects that would help their students, whether by deepening their understanding of academic standards or learning about new digital tools.

The day featured a keynote speech by Holly Witcher, the 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Witcher, a Special Education teacher at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School, inspired attendees with her advice and motivation. With 23 years in education, she has received various honors, including Teacher of the Year in Rockdale County in 2006 and White County District Teacher of the Year in 2023. She has also taught online and held leadership roles in education.

As Georgia Teacher of the Year, she promotes public education and will represent Georgia in the 2025 National Teacher of the Year selection. The Professional Learning Day helped enhance teaching skills and built community among educators in Chattooga County.