By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
Six Clay County Schools teachers have been chosen by their coworkers as 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year. This week, meet three of these special ladies: Hayesville High School Teacher of the Year Kim Chastain; Clay County Schools Exceptional Children Educator of Excellence Krysta English and Hayesville Elementary School Teacher of the Year Dana Heidbreder.
Chastain just finished 18 years at Clay County Schools, but has taught 19 years. She has spent the last four years teaching English I, II and III at her alma mater HHS. “I love teaching high school English and working at Hayesville High School has been an excellent experience.” Chastain explained.
Her lifelong love of learning had her playing school at a very young age. “My siblings had lots of pretend math and spelling tests I created,” she smiled. “During high school, my English teacher, Marilee Powell, inspired me to study literature when I went to college. One of my favorite parts of the year is beginning a new session of school where I can introduce stories and ideas in the classroom and work with students as they learn to collaborate, access literature and create projects and pieces of writing.”
Chastain added, “Teaching is a rewarding career. It allows me to be a lifelong learner and to help students grow in their acquisition of knowledge and reading skills. I am thankful to work in the community where I grew up and to also work in a school with excellent teammates who support each other and our students.”
She attended Clay Schools from head start through high school, then earned an educational specialist degree in curriculum and instruction, as well as a Master of Arts in education with a concentration in middle grades literature from Piedmont University. In addition, she has a Bachelors of Arts in English from Agnes Scott College and she earned teaching credentials from Georgia State University. She also completed a gifted licensure program for kindergarten through 12th grade at Western Carolina University.
“We love being in the mountains close to our parents, children, grandchildren and extended family, who live in this area,” she said. She and husband Lamar Chastain have three adult children, Alexis, Aaron and Calista. Alexis is Clay County Schools band director and is married to Tyler Dockery. The couple made the Chastains grandparents with Charlotte and new baby, Henry. Aaron is a lawyer and Calista is an optometrist.
Hayesville High School Principal Stacey Overlin said Chastain is very deserving. “Her dedication, professionalism and concern for her students’ success are qualities everyone in education should strive for. Kim’s classroom is engaging, challenging and supportive and she is always willing to go above and beyond to help students learn,” he said. ”We are so fortunate to have Kim here at Hayesville High and we are very happy to honor her as our 2025 Teacher of the Year.”
Chastain shared what she treasures most. “When students have that moment where they understand a tough topic or make progress in an area that has given them some difficulty, it makes all the hard work put into preparing lessons and planning activities very much worth the time and investment,” she said. “I hope to foster a love of learning, a growth mindset and confidence in themselves as learners and goal setters. I strive to be the best teacher I can be every day, so my students can grow academically and as members of their school and community.”
English decided around grade eight to make working with special needs individuals a career. “It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I realized teaching was how I wanted to do that,” she explained. “I had the opportunity to assist in a special education classroom and I saw firsthand the impact a dedicated teacher could have. Not just academically, but emotionally and socially.”
She has now been teaching special education for 15 years, but the last three years have been at Hayesville Elementary. “Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of students, but my heart has always been especially drawn to supporting those with significant disabilities. It’s a role that has challenged me, inspired me and brought so much joy to my life,” she explained. “What I love most about teaching is helping students reach milestones that others may have once thought impossible. Whether it’s a small communication breakthrough, a new life skill or a moment of independence, each success is meaningful.”
English was raised in Andrews and graduated with a degree in special education, kindergarten-12th grade adapted curriculum from Western Carolina University. She currently lives in Murphy with husband, Caleb, and 11-year-old daughter, Kynadee. The family also has a huge chocolate lab, as well as two cats that were rescued from the Hayesville Elementary Campus.
“Some of my most cherished memories come from our Community-Based Instruction trips and Special Olympics events,” she said. “Watching students engage with their community, build confidence and experience new things is unforgettable.”
Clay County Schools Chief Officer Angel Owens complimented English. “Krysta’s positive impact on her students lends to each one of their success moving forward,” she said. “Her kind, loving nature and determination to provide the best services to her students shines through everything she does on a daily basis. She is a true asset to our HES EC Team.”
English added, “What I want every student to have is the knowledge they are seen, valued and capable. I want them to understand that learning may look different for everyone and that’s OK, in fact it’s something to be proud of. I want them to believe in themselves and be confident in what they offer the world.”
Another veteran teacher, Heidbreder, is Hayesville Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year. While this is her fourth year in Clay County, she has worked in education for 12 years in North Carolina and altogether for 29 years. “My first three years in the district, I worked as an instructional coach and returned to the classroom this year in third grade,” she said. “Previously, I’ve taught two to five grades, was a math and reading specialist for kindergarten through eighth grade and worked as a professional development trainer at the state level.”
She always thought she would work in the corporate world; however, she liked tutoring her peers, along with neighborhood kids. “When I was losing excitement about the business world, my mom encouraged me to consider education,” she shared. “When I started my first practicum class, it felt like coming home. I really love the learning process. I love watching kids be exposed to a new concept and seeing it click for them.”
She has many favorite memories. “Even after 29 years I have such vivid memories of my very first year,” she reminisced. “Those fifth graders taught me so much about being real, meeting them where they are and not always having to know the answer.”
Heidbreder is a St. Louis, Mo. native, who found her way to Hayesville through serving with her church at Hinton Center. “My husband and I moved here in 2010 as the last of my three bonus kids were graduating from college,” she added. “Currently we have two four-footed fur-kids of the Schnauzer type. I love the lake and mountain life, enjoy gardening and like game nights with our friends.”
Karissa Teague, Hayesville Elementary School Principal said Heidbreder is dedicated. “Dana has worked late nights, taken on more than her fair share and continued to support others in ways that many never even saw. She embodies everything we hope for in an educator: passion, leadership and a heart for students and colleagues alike.”
Heidbreder said, “I really want my kids to see their greatest potential — to dream big and start growing into their life goals. Third grade is such a pivotal year — a challenging year academically and socially as they gain their footing in a new school. I want them to celebrate every success and find promises in the mistakes.”
The May 29 issue of the Clay County Progress featured the other three Teachers of the Year: Hayesville Primary School Teacher Assistant of the Year Dawn Ledford; Hayesville Primary School Teacher of the Year Delaney Smith and Hayesville Middle School Teacher of the Year Kristin Taylor.