BLUE RIDGE, GA – Fannin County Board of Education held a General Session meeting for faculty and staff on Monday, July 31, 2017. The welcoming of a new school year was met with enthusiasm and determination as district administrators and principals introduced new members of the department and schools.

Departments added seven new employees to the roster, while the schools themselves added 35 new employees, filling positions ranging from sports coach to mathematics educator.

New employees of the Fannin County School System.

West Fannin Elementary, alone, accounted for 11 of the new hires.

Guest Speaker Casey Bethel, 2017 Georgia Teacher of the Year, was there to offer encouragement and guidance as the new school year begins.  He hit a chord with the crowd when he stated that “Greatness is the enemy of Excellence.” While he felt that Fannin County Schools were truly great, settling for great would eliminate the community from achieving excellence.

Bethel shared personal stories and tips on how to reach every student before receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

Fannin County students will return to school Friday, August 4, to begin the 2017-18 school year.