LOWNDES CO – Lowndes County Schools announces a Hahira Middle School math teacher was recently named the System Teacher of the Year.

Release:

Lowndes County Schools is proud to announce that Cortney Philpot, a 7th-grade math teacher at Hahira Middle School, has been named the System Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during Convocation, the kick-off event for the 2024-2025 school year, where Philpot was recognized for her exceptional commitment to education and her students.

Philpot’s passion for teaching was sparked long before her professional career began. Inspired by her grandmother, a 7th-grade science teacher, she developed a love for education and learning from a young age. She even began tutoring students as a middle schooler just because she liked to help. Although she initially pursued a career in nursing due to job market concerns in education at the time, Philpot returned to her true calling after five years in the healthcare field. “The experience from another profession has helped me transition here and become who I am now,” she explains. “But this is where I am supposed to be; I have a calling to be here and a purpose to serve students.”

Upon returning to Valdosta State University to complete her education degree, Philpot was placed at Hahira Middle School for her student teaching experience. “The more I got involved, the more I loved Hahira Middle,” she says. “I love the family feel, the level of rigor, and that there is a high standard that we know every student can achieve.”

After graduating, Philpot taught her first semester in her hometown. When a sixth-grade math position opened at HMS a few months later, she eagerly embraced the opportunity to “go home,” as she calls it. Even though she was already teaching at the school she attended herself, there was an undeniable sense of belonging that HMS held. 

With 6.5 years of teaching experience now under her belt, Philpot strives every day to change the perception of math. “Math is fun because kids come with a negative attitude towards it, and my challenge for myself is to change that. I want it to be their favorite subject by the end of the year,” she states. 

Philpot utilizes hands-on activities and labs to create an engaging learning environment, ensuring that her students feel successful and prepared to tackle real-world problems with numbers. While maintaining excitement and rigor in her classroom is crucial, she also emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive, family-like atmosphere. “As soon as they step in my room, they are a ‘Philpot kid,’ and that is lifelong. I am cheering them on; I am their advocate,” she affirms. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom, as she regularly communicates with parents, celebrating student achievements during weekly shout-outs and nurturing strong relationships with families.

Believing in the power of diversity, Philpot encourages her students to celebrate their differences and learn from one another, making her classroom takeaways far beyond just numbers. 

“I gain so much insight and perspective from those who are different from me,” she notes. Her classroom is a space where all voices are heard, and students are encouraged to build connections with each other, highlighted by her daily practice of saying goodbye in different languages.

As Cortney Philpot embarks on another year of teaching, her dedication to her students and the community remains unwavering. “I hope that their love for learning and lifelong learning is ignited, and I want them to feel seen and heard,” she expresses. With aspirations of serving the community for many more years to come, Philpot hopes to inspire future generations of learners.