Chapel Hill Alumni Return To School As Faculty

Douglas County Schools: The saying “Home is where the heart is” rings especially true this school year at one Douglas County Middle School. This year, an impressive 17 former Chapel Hill Middle School students will take their place in their old classrooms.

These educators say they were all drawn back to Chapel Hill Middle because they cherished their Chapel Hill Middle education and the strong relationships they built with their teachers. Now, these 17 teachers play a special role in inspiring what eighth-grade teacher Sean Leatherwood calls “The Chapel Hill Way.”

Leatherwood was initially reluctant to return to the classroom after a disillusioned first year of teaching until one of his former teachers at CHMS encouraged him to continue teaching. Sean said, “I still remember her saying ‘You know things are different here at the HILL.’” With her encouragement, he took a position at Chapel Hill. “I can honestly say CHMS changed my life twice, both times for the better. I feel like I’m paying back all the great teachers that I had by respecting and continuing their legacy.”

For art teacher Melody Chambers, former art teachers Jan Emmerick and Bruce Little played an integral part in her decision to pursue what has become a lifetime passion and a career in art. Melody said, “I decided that I wanted to be the kind of teacher my former teachers Ms. Emmerick and Mr. Little had been for me.”

For others, like Brittany Jones, the transition from Chapel Hill student to teacher reflected the continuity of the Chapel Hill culture. As Ms. Jones explains, “I had a great experience as a student at CHMS so I expected the same as a teacher. It has been wonderful to work with some of my former teachers and transition from a student to a coworker and now a close friend. The values instilled at Chapel Hill Middle when I was a student are the same ones I get to share with my students today.”

Chapel Hill Middle School Principal Dr. Jolene Morris leads by the motto “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat.” Dr. Morris is certain these returning students will have a positive impact on new and returning students. “It is so inspiring and profound for our students to see our graduates returning to their school and their community. It means a lot for a student to have a teacher who once walked in their shoes in the same school. It shows our students we are one big family. It shows students that they can achieve success and that anything is possible!”