At Lake Oconee Academy, our mission is rooted in three foundational cornerstones: citizenship, scholarship, and community. These guiding principles shape our school’s culture and inspire our educators to go above and beyond every day. This month, we are proud to recognize three outstanding teachers who exemplify these values through their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our students: Ms. McDaniel, Mrs. Gay, and Mrs. Dees.

Ms. Kalie McDaniel

As the Lower School Gifted Teacher and Spelling Bee Coordinator, Ms. McDaniel brings creativity and enthusiasm to her work with students in grades 1-4. During PIE (Prevention - Intervention - Extension) time, she focuses on the "extension" aspect, challenging students to expand their critical thinking and knowledge across all core subjects, including science, social studies, reading, writing, and math.

One of her recent projects, a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade STEM activity, engaged students in designing, creating, and testing balloon prototypes. This hands-on activity encouraged problem-solving and teamwork, giving students the opportunity to make adjustments and improvements to their designs. Additionally, Ms. McDaniel dedicated countless hours to organizing school spelling bees for grades 1-8, fostering a love for language and competition. Her hard work and passion for education are deeply appreciated.

Mrs. morgan Gay

Mrs. Gay has been instrumental in advancing our middle school gifted education program. Over the past year, she has led the way in conducting gifted testing to identify students with exceptional abilities, ensuring they receive the opportunities they need to excel.

Beyond testing, Mrs. Gay has collaborated with teachers to integrate gifted differentiation strategies into daily classroom instruction. Her efforts have made advanced learning opportunities accessible to gifted students while enriching the overall learning environment for all. Her initiative and dedication have significantly impacted both students and staff, and we are grateful for her contributions.

Mrs. tammy Dees

In our 6th-grade gifted program, Mrs. Dees takes a hands-on, project-based learning approach to inspire and challenge her students. One standout project involved designing and building catapults, blending principles of physics, engineering, and problem-solving. This engaging activity encouraged students to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios while fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Mrs. Dees’ innovative teaching style helps students develop essential skills for success beyond the classroom. Her commitment to providing meaningful and challenging learning experiences has had a profound impact on her students and the school community.

Thank You, Cornerstone Teachers!

Please join us in congratulating Ms. McDaniel, Mrs. Gay, and Mrs. Dees for their exceptional work and dedication to upholding the values of citizenship, scholarship, and community. Their contributions inspire our students and staff alike, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements as Cornerstone Teachers of the Month.