North Whitfield teacher awarded scholarship

Published 12:06 am Friday, November 11, 2016

Monica Elrod is more content than she’s ever been and it’s all because of her teaching career, she said.

“I started substitute teaching and really thought the classroom is where I needed to be,” said Elrod, an eighth grade math teacher at North Whitfield Middle School.

Elrod is the latest recipient of a $1,000 Charles “Coach” Cooper Scholarship awarded by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation. To qualify for the award, Elrod wrote an essay about why she chose to teach, the difference she plans to make and submitted three letters of recommendation.

Elrod is “really excited” about the award.

“It’s not often you find scholarships that are available for graduate level studies,” she said.

A 2007 graduate of Northwest Whitfield High School, Elrod attended Dalton State College where she graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. She’s completing her last semester online at the University of North Georgia pursuing a master’s degree in middle grades math and science.

She’s been at North Whitfield three years, and for almost two of those she’s juggled her classroom and workload for school.

“It is actually a lot easier than I expected,” she said. “I appreciate the fact I can work on my own time.”

Elrod said one aspect she loves about teaching is being able to use her love for math to help children grow and realize their potential.

“I enjoy the kids, they are wonderful, wild and crazy all at the same time,” she said. “Everyday is different and that’s one of the most enjoyable things about it.”

At North Whitfield, Elrod said she appreciates that all the teachers have a “like mind about wanting kids to succeed.”

“When I was substituting I didn’t see as much of that ambition so I’m really thankful I was able to come here,” Elrod said.

North Whitfield Principal Andrea Bradley said Elrod is a great teacher.

“She builds relationships with kids and is very organized,” Bradley said. “I think being young and energetic, she relates well to kids and has a great work ethic.”

Elrod said teaching sometimes is challenging.

“One day students may come in and love you and the next they may be annoyed with you,” Elrod said. “As a teacher that’s a struggle but as you grow with them throughout the years you get to form a relationship and bond with them.”

PAGE Executive Director Allene Magill, a former Dalton Public Schools superintendent, said the scholarship is a “fitting tribute” to Cooper, a former coach and educator. Cooper was a high school and college basketball coach at many schools including Valdosta State University. After retiring from VSU he led the women’s basketball program at Piedmont College in Demorest until his death in 2005. His wife Jean Cooper established the scholarship.

“We are honored to be able to offer this scholarship in his chosen field in an effort to help other educators advance their knowledge in the area of science,” Magill said.

Bradley said Elrod couldn’t be more deserving of the award.

“I think she has a natural knack for teaching and communicating with kids,” Bradley said. “She loves the students and what she teaches, that’s a really good combination.”