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'Shocked, overwhelmed, extremely grateful' | Bibb County teacher wins private school teacher of the year award

Stuart graduated from Tattnall in 1995 and she's been a math teacher there for the past 20 years.

MACON, Ga. — Georgia's Independent Schools Association awarded Tattnall Square Academy's Carolyn Stuart their highest honor for a teacher.

Stuart thought she was just in the school’s auditorium Friday for a Veterans Day assembly.

"I'm shocked, overwhelmed, extremely grateful, wow," she said.

GISA Vice President Stan Whitlock came to honor Stuart as their private high school teacher of the year.

"I actually got to see her yesterday and as she and her three students left the leadership conference in Atlanta,” he said. “I told her, 'I hope to see you very soon.' She just didn't know how soon I was going to get to see her again."

Stuart graduated from Tattnall in 1995 and she's been a math teacher at there for the past 20 years. And Stuart’s mother, Carolyn Smothers, is right around the corner.

"For 43 years, I have taught in this building,” Smothers said. “I've taught a lot of kids and I've been awarded a lot of awards but to see her get this highest award is fantastic."

They say Stuart does it all for the Trojans. She's the junior class sponsor and she directs two shows a year to raise funds for the prom.

"It's really overwhelming, but it all comes down to just this simple job of just loving children and trying to give them everything that I have and help them learn math the best that I can,” she said. “It's really quite an honor for someone to think of me on a level like this."

Stuart's family legacy at Tattnall spans generations and means the world to their matriarch.

"To see a child walking your path and do so unbelievably well is, brings tears to the eyes,” Smothers said. “I taught her, I taught her husband, I taught all my children and all my grandchildren."

Stuart said one of her favorite things is hearing from her past students who have done great things. She said with this award, she will continue to do the best she can for her students so they can be successful in the future.

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