Newspaper Page Text
Page 2 - Wednesday, November 15, 2023
The Millen News
themillennews.com
■
Getting to know
with
COMPILED BY
TARA SASSER
Meet Matasha Ellison. Mrs.
Ellison is a 3rd grade teacher
at Jenkins County Elementary
School. She was born and
raised in Sylvania with her
siblings and parents, Jay and
Carolyn Joyner.
Mrs. Ellison currently
resides in Sylvania with her
husband and two youngest
children. The couple has five
children and six grandchildren.
She has been in the education
held for 24 years as a teacher,
Mrs. Ellison says she has
always wanted to be a teacher,
even pretending that she was
one with her older siblings
when she was 5-6 years old.
She was inspired to join the
education profession after
having amazing teachers who
led the way along her path.
With a supportive family,
Mrs. Ellison graduated
from Screven County High
School in 1996. She then
pursued a Bachelor’s degree in
Education at Georgia Southern
University, graduating in 2000.
She also obtained a Master’s in
Education Leadership degree
from Valdosta State University
in 2002 and a Specialist Degree
in Education Leadership from
Troy State University in 2018.
Mrs. Ellison says the hardest
part of her day is having to
get up early! She says being
an educator is the best and
easiest job, but, “Waking up
early is for the birds.” Her
favorite part of the job is all
the love she receives from the
students, past and present. She
loves hugs and sweet smiles
and encourages others to pass
that along. Showing kindness
comes easily to Mrs. Ellison
because of her love for giving,
in any form. Watching the
kindness boomerang as it is
passed on is a true passion
for her.
A LITTLE ABOUT HER:
If you could travel
anywhere, where would you
go?
Clean, untouched beaches
with crystal clear water.
What is something you love
to do on your time off?
I love water activities and
reading, but spending time with
my children and grandchildren
is the most important!
What is your favorite song
or genre of music? I love all
music, but my favorite artist is
Luke Combs.
What are your pet peeves?
Parents that choose others over
their own children.
Are you a collector of
anything?
Pictures and earrings - can’t
our school faculty
Matasha Ellison
From left, are Payge Ellison, Vince Powell, Matasha Ellison, and Emmalea Ellison.
have enough earrings!
Who is your hero and why?
My mother, Carolyn Joyner,
who has endured more
hardships and heartaches than
anyone should, but always sees
the good and loves like Jesus.
What is your favorite meal?
BBQ pulled pork, mac-n-
cheese, and Brunswick stew
with rice.
What is your favorite
snack?
Coke Zero and a Payday
candy bar!
Do you have any talents?
Spending money and
painting-crafting
Do you have a quote or
something you would like to
share?
Get right, or get left!
“Growing Great Readers at JCES”
Renee Hearn, Jenkins County Elementary School literacy
coach, is shown with the specially designed book bag for the
school’s “Growing Great Readers at JCES” program. The bag
was designed by Jeannine Curl.
DEBORAH BENNETT
Millen News Editor
“There is no such thing as a
child who hates to read; there
are only children who have
not found the right book.” —
Frank Serahni. Jenkins County
Elementary School (JCES) is
helping children find the right
books with the “Growing Great
Readers at JCES” program.
Renee Hearn, JCES literacy
coach explained the program.
“We sent home forms
inviting parents of children
PreK - 5th grade to come in
once a month and read to their
child’s class. The books are
sent home early for the parents
to practice reading the book.
Then, they come to the school
on Friday and read it to the
class. After they read the book,
they meet with the principal
and Mrs. Hearn to discuss
ways to promote literacy in
the home.
They also receive a specially
designed bag to take home with
them that contains three books
they can keep to read at home
with their child. And, they get
to keep the book that they read
to the class,” Mrs. Hearn said.
In addition to the three
books, the take-home bag,
designed by Jeannine Curl, also
includes a bookmark, thank
you card, and an informational
flyer with suggestions on how
to encourage children to read
at home.
“We are trying to get parents
to understand that reading
begins at birth. The benefit of
oral reading is the foundation
of literacy,” Mrs. Hearn said.
“Using technology is not the
same as orally reading a book,”
she added.
Mrs. Hearn said that statistics
show that if a child is not
reading by third grade, that
child has a 30%-40% chance
of not graduating high school.
“Not being able to read
also affects the rest of the
school curriculum,” she said.
“If a child can’t read, they
can’t perform in other areas
of study.”
But the good news is that it
doesn’t take much to set a child
on the right path when it comes
to reading.
“Reading to a child or
listening to a child read only
15 minutes a day has the ability
to show positive growth. It
increases their vocabulary,
fluency, and comprehension,”
Mrs. Hearn said.
So far around 100 parents
have participated in the
program. Retired teachers and
law enforcement officers have
also read to students at JCES.
And, it appears that all love the
program - children, parents,
and teachers.
When it comes to children
and reading, Emilie Buchwald
may have said it best, “Children
are made readers on the laps of
their parents.”
Mrs. Hearn certainly believes
that is true!
Growing GREAT
SPOT LIGHT
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set for
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A “Whoville Christmas”
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Dec. 3rd, 3-6 p.m. on Cotton
Avenue!
Get ready for a magical
day filled with festive cheer
and holiday delights. Bring
your family and friends to
experience the wonder of the
Grinch’s Whoville right here
in Millen.
Attendees will enjoy a
variety of delicious treats
from food trucks, games and
activities for everyone to enjoy,
entertainment by the talented
Jenkins County High School
Band,pictures with Santa, and,
of course, shopping for unique
gifts and holiday treasures.
Sponsors are needed to offer Contact the Jenkins County
activities and games for the Chamber of Commerce office
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Tree & Stump Removal,
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Brian Brinson