Meet Clay County Schools’ new faces in the classroom
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
When Clay County students returned to classes this week, seven new teachers greeted them. In alphabetical order by last name, the new teachers at Clay Schools are Elizabeth Arreaga, Olivia Cook, Madison Crawford, Whitley Grizzle, Lynette Holloway, Katarzyna Kaczmarek and Carissa Owenby. We will introduce three of them this week and tell you more about the others in next week’s Clay County Progress.
First, meet Elizabeth Arreaga, Hayesville High School’s new Spanish teacher. “This is my very first year as an official teacher,” she said. Then she explained why she chose to be an educator. “I loved my teachers when I was in school. Having those relationships with adults who genuinely cared about me and my success was super impactful to me and my life. I want to have that same impact on the students I will teach.”
Arreaga has lived in the Andrews area for about 15 years and graduated from Western Carolina University in December 2024. “I enjoy teaching all ages,” she said. “The high school level is fun because their personalities really shine through.”
She and her family spend time serving at their church on weekends. “We really love spending time together.” When asked what she is most looking forward to for the upcoming school year, she replied, “Getting to know the students and being a part of this community. Go Yellow Jackets.”
Olivia Cook has joined Hayesville Primary School and Hayesville Elementary School as an Academic Interventionist. “I will be providing interventions in math and reading for grades PreK-fifth,” she explained. “This will be my first full year teaching.”
Cook has lived in western North Carolina her entire life and graduated from Western North Carolina University with her Bachelor's in Elementary Education last December. After doing her student teaching, she completed a half year teaching third grade at Iotla Valley Elementary in Macon County.
“I have a special place in my heart for the elementary grades because of the teachers I had who made those special years growing up even more exciting,” she said. “I'm looking forward to making these younger years even more joyful for these kids.”
She is the daughter of Ray and Peggy Cook and her mom teaches at Martins Creek Elementary. “I've been blessed to grow up in Brasstown with my mom, dad and my two sisters, Alana and Jenna. You would often find our family at the local dirt track, at church or raising animals of all kinds in our backyard,” she laughed. “I love Jesus, coffee, antique stores and spending time with my boyfriend, Isaac, and his beautiful daughter, Bella, that I'm also blessed to call my family.”
The former Murphy Bulldog ended, “I am the most excited about building relationships with students and for having a front row seat to see how they learn and grow this year. I was raised playing in my mom's classroom every day after school and the love for the profession grew from there, along with a love for helping children. I am very excited to be a Yellow Jacket. Go Jackets.”
Lifelong Clay County resident Madison Crawford could not wait to teach in the same schools she attended as a child. She did her student teaching at Hayesville Elementary last year and returns as a teacher of her own third grade classroom. “I am thrilled to be back,” she smiled. “Being around such incredible people that were teachers who showed me what it was like to love learning. I also had many family members who drew me into the profession.”
When asked why she chose to teach at the elementary level, she replied, “I believe this is the best age for students. They are so full of joy and laughter. Every day is a new day and I never know what I am going to hear, see or do from them. They are so fun to be around and they simply make my day brighter. I highly recommend working with a bunch of nine-year-olds.”
Crawford continued, “I’m looking forward to being a part of this school community. I have been welcomed with open arms at HES. When I go in to work, it doesn’t feel like work. The administrators, staff and other teachers are just one big family. Everyone cares for each other and most importantly for the students. This school feels like home and I hope every person who encounters HES — whether it be a student, staff or parent — that they feel welcomed, too.”
The Hayesville High School grad recently received her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Western Carolina University. “My family also has been longtime residents of Hayesville,” she said. “I enjoy reading, being outside and spending time with loved ones. My sister, Morgan Crawford, is a student teacher at Hayesville right now, too.”
She ended by thanking her mother. “My mother, Kelly Crawford, has been one of my biggest inspirations and she is the reason I am the person and teacher I am today. I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for me. Love you mom.!”