Dr. Linda Frye

Hart County High School

Dr. Linda Frye is finishing her twenty-first year as an educator and her fourth year at Hart County High School in Hartwell, Georgia. She currently teaches English to 10th through 12th grade students in the following courses: AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, and American Literature. She earned all four of her degrees from Kennesaw State University: Bachelor of Arts in English, Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary English Education, Education Specialist in Secondary English Education, and Education Doctorate in Secondary English Education.

Dr. Frye came late to the education field, having worked in accounting and having been a stay-at-home mom before returning to school to become a teacher. Once she stepped foot in the classroom as a substitute teacher when her son was in middle school, though, she knew she had found her true calling. Since becoming a teacher, she has been awarded the following honors: 2011 Certified Staff Member of the Year at Marietta High School, 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year Runner-Up at Marietta High School, 2016 Outstanding Scholar at Kennesaw State University,  2023-2024 Teacher of the Year at Mountain Ed Charter High School, and 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year at Hart County High School.

She tells people all the time that she has the best job and can’t imagine anything better. Her passion for teaching goes beyond her classroom as she mentors newer teachers and encourages them to look for the good, the assets, that students and their families bring to the classroom. Students, teachers, and the community benefit by having teachers in the schools who approach teaching through asset-based pedagogies.

 

Mr. Tommy Hughes

Hart County middle School

Mr. Tommy Hughes is an eighth grade math teacher at Hart County Middle School in Hartwell Georgia. Mr. Hughes has been teaching for a total of eleven years with ten of them being at HCMS. He received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Secondary Math from Grand Canyon University. He also earned an Associates of Applied Science in Electronic System Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mr. Hughes' main goal as a teacher is to create a family environment where learning is a priority. Mr. Hughes wants to create lifelong learners who will become productive citizens as adults. He has been involved in different activities such as the Level Up program that mentors middle school boys. Mr. Hughes is also active in his church, Maple Spring Baptist Church, as an usher and children’s church teacher. He has also spent time coaching youth sports at HCMS, Hart County Recreation Department, and in the United States Air Force. The next generation and their development is very important to him. One of the things Mr. Hughes is most proud of as a teacher is the many times he has been selected to walk alongside a senior at Teacher Appreciation Night for a senior student-athlete. Mr. Hughes is married with two children. He loves spending time with his family. Although he loves teaching at HCMS, being a husband and father is the career he most looks forward to.

Mrs. Bridget Hill

Hartwell Elementary School

Bridget Hill is a dedicated and passionate educator with over 10 years of experience in elementary education. She holds an Associate’s degree in Business and Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood from Emmanuel College, her Master’s of Art degree in Early Childhood Education and a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction both from Piedmont College, and also her Gifted Certification. Bridget is committed to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment for all students, encouraging creativity, critical thinking, and academic achievement.

Bridget believes in the importance of adapting her teaching style to meet the unique needs of each class. She believes in the importance of differentiated instruction to accommodate various learning styles and abilities, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Bridget is also skilled in collaborating with colleagues, parents, and administrators to support student growth and development both inside and outside the classroom.

In addition to her teaching responsibilities,  Bridget has taken on leadership roles such as grade-level team leader and After School Director, and she is currently working on her Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Speaking (LETRS) certification. Bridget is dedicated to professional development,  attending workshops and conferences to stay informed about the latest educational research and best practices.

Outside of teaching, Bridget enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and supporting her grandchildren and students in their extracurricular activities. She is excited to continue making a positive impact on students’ lives and helping them reach their full potential academically and socially.

 

Mrs. Dawn Key

South Hart Elementary School

Dawn Key is a first grade teacher at South Hart Elementary in Hartwell Georgia and teaches all subjects to her students. Mrs. Key earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Troy University and a Master of Education in Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama. Both degrees were obtained with honors - Cum Laude from Troy University and Magna Cum Laude from the University of West Alabama. 

Mrs. Key has been teaching first grade for all of her 13-year teaching career. She believes in helping students believe in themselves, helping them learn their own potential, helping them to love learning, and doing whatever it takes to help them achieve their learning goals. She believes all students can learn and is willing to give them more time to practice through manipulatives, fun games, or even a jingle. She will research to learn a new strategy to help them or will ask a more knowledgeable person for thoughts and ideas. Mrs. Key teaches her students that just because something is hard does not mean it is impossible, and they are capable of anything they believe they can achieve because their mindset is half of any battle. Mrs. Key is grateful to her husband, James, and their three children who have always supported her teaching career.

Mrs. Savanna Baker

North Hart Elementary School

Mrs. Baker is a first grade teacher at North Hart Elementary School in Bowersville, Georgia. Mrs. Baker earned her Early Childhood and Special Education Degree along with her Reading Endorsement from the University of North Georgia. Mrs. Baker holds a Masters of Art Degree in Early Childhood from Piedmont University. She received her Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and instruction from the Piedmont University. She received her gifted endorsement in 2023.

Mrs. Baker has taught Kindergarten, Special Education (serving grades 2nd, 4th, and 5th), and First Grade.  Mrs. Baker received the Hart EMC Grant award in the 2023-2024 school year. She was a finalist for the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year award. Mrs. Baker has been the cooperating teacher for junior interns and hosted a full-time senior student teacher. She has been named grade level representative for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. 

Mrs. Baker values building relationships with students and their families. She lives by the quote by James P. Comer, “No significant learning without a significant relationship”. She strives to create a learning environment where students feel valued and safe, and want to come learn each day! Mrs. Baker believes students thrive on predictability, structure, and a clear and concise routine each day for school. She knows once these aspects are in place, true learning occurs. She believes in meeting students where they are academically by pushing them to their highest potential to grow them as much as possible.