During Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting, Towanda Mills was announced the Decatur County Teacher of the Year.

Mills has been teaching for 19 years and taught a variety of subject matters. She taught fourth grade EIP, kindergarten and taught Pre-K for the past seven years at Jones Wheat Elementary.

She has been described as a hard, innovative worker who goes beyond just meeting the needs of students and parents. She is said to be a spark plug at JWE.

Mills works hard to make sure she is learning from others. She believes, “If everyone is thinking alike, then one person isn’t thinking.” One of her other mottos she keeps in mind is, “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

Dr. Larry Clark, principal of JWE said he thinks this is what makes Mills such an asset to the school is her ability to constantly think outside the box and collaborate with others to create a bigger idea.

Mills was shocked when she won. She said she didn’t expect this at all, but her family had faith in her and believed she could do it.

Mills is no stranger to winning elementary school Teacher of the Year.

She won Teacher of the Year for West Bainbridge Elementary 11 years ago, but was honored to have had the opportunity to compete for District Teacher of the Year again.

“I didn’t see this coming,” Mills said. It’s awesome that they thought this much of me at another school as well,”

Mills’s family was in attendance Thursday night and were equally as proud.

Her daughter, Joy said she was so excited because her mom has worked with the students for so long and does so well.

Her husband, Calvin agreed.

“She does a great job and works wonders,” he said.

Mills is so thankful to her family and coworkers who supported her throughout her teaching journey and will now compete at the state level for Teacher of the Year.