Oak Hill Middle's annual Black Excellence performance pulled back the curtains to a packed crowd inside the auditorium. Students and staff led the annual production in observance of Black History Month, highlighting leaders and cultural icons from the African-American community. History lessons, musical & dance numbers and even a soulful tribute to the great Smokey Robinson himself were some of the incredible performances that highlighted the event. The performance not only demonstrates the hard work and dedication of our students and staff who produced the program but also of the high quality of options we provide our students to learn and express themselves through our nationally recognized fine arts department here in the district.

Thanks to the staff and trainers from Bodyplex Milledgeville, one of our Partners In Education, for stopping by this afternoon and sharing some excellent ways for our students to lead active and healthy lifestyles. Partners In Education is a program in conjunction with the Milledgeville-Baldwin Chamber and the Baldwin County School District, aiming to build relationships between our schools and local businesses. Please contact our office for more information about how you or your business can partner with us here at Creekside!

Georgia College and the Baldwin County School District have partnered to bring the Montessori education experience to the Milledgeville community. The Montessori Academy will be housed in the Baldwin County Early Learning Center and staffed with a blend of Baldwin County School District and Georgia College staff, faculty, and administrators, and pre-service teaching candidates from the College of Education at Georgia College. The Department of Psychological Science and School of Nursing will also be involved at the Montessori Academy at the Early Learning Center. The Montessori Academy opens in Fall 2017 and will offer educational programming for children ages six weeks to five years. Applications for priority registration are due March 31. Families of Georgia College and the Baldwin County School District will be allowed to register between February 20 and March 31. Remaining spaces will be made available to the public after April 1. Click here to be taken to the Montessori Academy website for more information or to register today!

Creekside Elementary students were some of the many big winners from our schools at this years regional science fair which was hosted by Georgia College. Our students put their heads together to organize some impressive and innovative projects that brought home over 10 blue ribbon recognitions for their hard work. Congratulations to all of our students who won and all those who participated in this wonderful event!

Mrs. King began her career in education as a paraprofessional in 1988 at Flintside Elementary in Albany, Ga. She joined the Baldwin County School District in 1992 as a paraprofessional at the Baldwin County Psychoeducational Center and Boddie Middle School. In 1997, Mrs. King started teaching at Boddie Middle. She has earned an undergraduate degree in special education from Georgia College and State University and master’s degree from Troy State University. What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher? "When I decided to become a teacher there were four motivating factors. I wanted to inspire hope, ignite young minds imaginations, motivate children to believe in their worth and educational abilities and to instill in young learners a love of learning. I wanted to be that teacher that inspired students to believe in their ability because they had a teacher that believed in them. I wanted to be that teacher that made all students believe that they were just as gifted as the next student and if they believed and saw in himself what I saw in them, then they would know all things would be possible no matter what their circumstances."

Ms. Koehler began her teaching career in 1991 at Wilkinson County Elementary in Irwinton, Ga. She joined the Baldwin County School District in 2000 at Midway Elementary School teaching students with special needs. She is currently teaching fourth grade. Ms. Koehler completed her undergraduate in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College in 1991; a master’s degree in Special Education from Georgia College in 1994; and a specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Cambridge College in 2007. What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher? "As a senior a Wilkinson County High School, I was allowed to take an elective class called “Working with Children” with Mrs. Joan Dixon. Mrs. Dixon allowed me to become part of the class by working with different learning styles. This is what we class differentiation during this educational time She taught me that children come in all colors, from so many different home lives, and bring with them so many learning styles. By the end of my senior year, I had decided to pursue a degree on at Georgia College. As an educator for 25 years. I feel greatest accomplishment is the difference I make in the lives of children every day. The students I have educated over the past years have made a difference in my life as well."

Ms. Hawkins joined the Baldwin County School District in 2012. Mrs. Hawkins has taught 3rd through 5th grade self-contained classes for the Program for Exceptional Children(PEC). She earned an undergraduate degree in special education and master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University. What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher? "I have always said that teaching is a calling; being that there are some people who were simply born to teach. Looking back on the path that lead me to my teaching career, I do not remember a time when I was not teaching to some degree. Even while I was in elementary school, I had my makeshift gradebook and chalkboard pretending to teach. I had incredible elementary school teachers who were passionate and eager, and I aspired to be just like them. I loved everything about school, including taking charge, which made a fierce combination. These qualities set the foundation for who I would become as an educator."

Mrs. McMillan joined the Baldwin County School District in 2004 at the Early Learning Center teaching Pre-K students. She is currently teaching first grade at Creekside Elementary. She earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia College, and an educational specialist from Georgia Southern University. Mrs. McMillan has certifications in Gifted Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). What were the factors that influenced you to become a teacher? "As a young girl, I dreamed of being just like my second grade teacher! She was amazing! She always had kind words, smiles, and hugs. She was so positive and encouraging and always found the time to talk to just me! In high school, I had teachers that inspired me here in Baldwin County: John Freeman, Lily Grimes, Dinah Peevy, and Teresa Barnes. I was inspired by them because they believed in me, formed a relationship with me, and had the highest of expectations from me. They took the time to talk to me and help me through class and through life."

The Early Learning Center is now registering students for the 2017-2018 school year. Please see the attached flier below for more information on where and how you can register your child for next year.

Erich Fietkau, an Eagle Ridge alum himself and current student at Baldwin High School, came back to help our 1st graders conduct a series of rockin' experiments via string and percussion instruments! He helped our students understand how sound is caused, by vibration, and how it travels through its surroundings, by waves. Students held balloons and could feel the vibrations of the instruments coursing through both the balloons and their bodies!

A big thanks to Smoothie King of Milledgeville for providing our staff with smoothies this afternoon! We loved them. Thanks Mrs. Ivey for arranging our sweet treat. A great way to end the day. Smoothie King is one of our Partners In Education. Partners In Education is a community program in conjunction with the Milledgeville-Baldwin Chamber and the Baldwin County School District aiming to build better relationships between our schools and our community. For more information about how you or your business can become a Partner In Education you can visit our schools page by clicking here.

The book tastings have been a big hit at Blandy Hills Elementary. Our students have been coming in to our media center as Mrs. Giles and Mrs. Wells have provided them with different books from different genres for them to consider. Our students have gotten the chance to see if they may like the book and mark it on their list to check-out and enjoy!