By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
A new face has joined the leadership team at Clay County Schools. Karissa Teague is taking the role of Hayesville High School assistant principal. Teague has worked as an educator for eight years and recently completed a one year full-time assistant principal internship with Murphy High School in Cherokee County.
Most of her eight years as an educator were teaching elementary school; however, she also taught at the middle school level for a short time. She explained what led her to a career in education. “Becoming a teacher was my goal starting at a very young age,” she said. “The Byers’ side of my family has many past educators, even at Hayesville High School. As I began my first few years as a third grade teacher, I was encouraged by my principal, Melissa Godfrey, to consider taking steps to become a school administrator.”
She continued. “I brushed this thought off for the first couple times of hearing it. However, after teaching and working with students, peers and families throughout the school and community, I felt a pull for supporting the school outside of just my classroom alone. From the time of my acceptance into the masters in school administration program at Western Carolina University, to gaining a year's worth of experience in leadership at the high school level, then to joining Clay County Schools as the assistant principal at Hayesville High School, I have known I was where I am meant to be.”
Clay Schools Superintendent Dale Cole agrees Teague is a great fit for Clay County Schools. “I am very excited about adding Mrs. Teague as a new member of the Clay County Schools Leadership Team,” he said. “As evidenced by her application documents and past student test scores, she was an outstanding teacher. She also completed a strong internship opportunity last year at Murphy High School. As a team we are excited to grow from her ideas and benefit from experienced she has learned from in other districts.”
When asked what she enjoys most about working in education, Teague replied,”My favorite part about working in education is the relationships that I get to build with my students, peers and families. Moving into a school leader role has allowed me to focus even more on this part. I live for the ‘ah-ha’ moments that students have and their excitement when they accomplish a goal.”
Teague is originally from Cherokee County. She and her husband, Matthew Teague live in the Peachtree Community with their young son, Maverick. He will be at Clay County Schools with his mom since he will start Pre-K at Hayesville Primary School when the school year begins.
"I am excited to welcome Mrs. Teague as the new assistant principal for Hayesville High School," said HHS Principal Stacey Overlin." She comes to us with an understanding of the role and has shown an eagerness to learn more this summer. Most importantly, she truly believes in our vision of inspiring, engaging and preparing all students for success in their chosen path after graduation. I can't wait for the students and the rest of the staff to meet Mrs. Teague when we return to school in August."
As Teague starts her role, she shares her dream for every student. “It is my goal for students that I work with to develop and sustain a love for learning and become lifelong learners,” she said. “All students have the ability to reach their full potential. I want to be someone that makes each student see this as a reality by the time they graduate high school and enter into their next stages of life.”