(L to R): Barry Waller, Superintendentt; Dana Manning (Toombs County High School); Joanna Humphrey (Toombs Central Elementary School and District Teacher of the Year); Amanda Hudson (Lyons Upper Elementary School); Angela Crocker (Lyons Primary School: and Jodi Foster (Toombs County Middle School).

The Toombs County School System has recognized Special Education Teacher Joana Humphrey as its District Teacher of the Year.

Humphrey grew up the daughter of a teacher, but she says that wasn’t the direction she initially wanted to go in.

“But as I went through school and college, I felt God nudging on me that that was my calling,” she said. “I also had so many people telling me good things about my mother that I decided I wanted that, too, and shine that light as well.”

Humphrey worked with special needs children while in college in Statesboro and continued that work later in Colorado. She says, “From the time I was born [with a special needs sister], to college to where I’m at today, God was prepping me all the way.”

Currently, she works at Toombs Central Elementary with students from mild to severe special needs, and says, “My job is very challenging, but it’s never boring.”

Humphrey received the award and recognition as the Teacher of the Year, but it quick to share the limelight with others.

“Without my co-teachers and paraprofessionals and the administration at my school I wouldn’t be able to accomplish what I have with my students,” she said. “I give them all credit because without them, my classroom wouldn’t function as it does.”