After twenty-nine years of teaching at Lamar County Middle School, Mrs. Stacey Tenney is saying goodbye to a fulfilling career. Her teaching journey began as she was working in a department store in 1993. “Life in retail was not as exciting as I had hoped. I felt like a fish out of water and didn’t feel connected with my colleagues. I began to wonder that when I die and have to stand in front of God, would it really matter how many jeans had to be marked down? It was then that I realized I wanted a career that would allow me to give back to my community and actually make a difference in the world. My husband didn’t like the demands of my retail job and suggested that I teach.” Tenney enrolled in an education program at Georgia College in Milledgeville, received her certification credentials, and brought her eclectic experiences and work ethic to the classroom at Lamar County Middle School.
Stacey Tenney has certainly impacted the lives of thousands in Lamar County, serving seven years teaching 7th graders and 22 years with 8th graders. She said she chose to work at Lamar County Middle School because she wanted to give back to the community in which she lived.
Mrs. Tenney’s career at LCMS has been filled with memorable moments, from witnessing the academic and personal growth of her students to unexpected, humorous encounters like startling a colleague unexpectedly. “I will never forget walking in on Mr. Sheroy while he was cleaning the toilet in the women’s bathroom; we both scared each other so badly that we screamed at each other, and he held up the toilet brush as if to hit me with it. I still laugh about that.” Memories like these, she notes, are treasures that she loves to recall.
The evolution of technology stands out as a significant change during her career, transforming instruction dramatically. Yet, through all the changes, her teaching philosophy has remained constant. “I believe teaching is like parenting. As a parent, I not only have expectations for my children, but I also provide a structured environment. If I as a parent expect my own children to excel, why wouldn’t I have those same expectations with my students? Just because they are someone else’s children doesn’t make them less important to me. Just as at home, students need to feel safe in a structured, consistent, and organized environment. They need to know what to expect, and they need to have the same person leading them day after day.”
Speaking about the success of her students in the classroom, Tenney added, “I want my students to know that being successful is not always about making A’s. For some students being successful is about growing more confident and looking back at what they accomplished and being proud of their hard work. I want them to feel more confident and feel a sense of success when they leave me at the end of the year.”
As Mrs. Tenney prepares for retirement, her plans include staying active through volunteer work and traveling with her husband, Scott. She leaves behind a legacy of dedication and a heartfelt wish that her students remember her commitment to their success, even behind the strict demeanor sometimes necessary in the classroom. She calls herself “old school,” but boasts that the old ways still work.
Her advice to new teachers is a blend of practicality and wisdom. Be consistent with all students, develop a thick skin, laugh, and prioritize self-care. She believes these are the keys to a fulfilling career in education.
As Lamar County Middle School prepares to say goodbye to a long-cherished educator, the impact of Mrs. Stacey Tenney’s dedication will undoubtedly continue to resonate within the community and through the lives of the many students she has influenced.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
