Danny Bates, Herman Nelson, Dr. Pat Phillips and Margaret Weldon will represent the tenth class of Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame inductees. The 2022 class will be inducted at a pre-game ceremony at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, at the Griffin High School vs. Spalding High School football game at Memorial Stadium.
In April, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) sought nominations of exemplary educators who made outstanding and significant contributions to students, staff, parents and the community during their employment at GSCS. All nominees must have been employed at GSCS for a minimum of 10 years and retired for at least five years. All of this year’s nominees were chosen to represent the Class of 2022 Educator Hall of Fame inductees.
Danny Bates served GSCS for 35 years. He taught grades K-5 at Atkinson Elementary, Beaverbrook Elementary, Cowan Road Elementary and the Program Challenge Gifted Center. At Beaverbrook and Cowan Road, Bates was instrumental in creating yearbooks, producing school plays, newsletters and sharing his artistic talents with everyone. He was selected as Teacher of The Year five times during his career. Bates developed units of learning on dinosaurs, anatomy, marine biology, ancient civilizations, Rome and Greece, Elements of Art, Zoology and Egyptology that are still being used today at Program Challenge. In the early 80s, he learned computer technology ahead of many teachers in order to provide computer technology to his students. He implemented new ideas and shared his techniques with all his peer teachers.
“Mr. Bates was a forerunner of innovative ideas, techniques and new programs to provide for students and enhance his learning and teaching skills. Mr. Danny Bates has gone above and beyond all that has been asked of him for GSCS students, peers and community. His reputation is known throughout the community as a positive, dedicated, advocate for all students that he has come in contact with throughout his life. He has devoted his own time to better the gifted program within the school system. His contributions have made a positive impact on the school system and community,” stated his nominator.
Herman Nelson served GSCS for 35 years. He began his career with GSCS in 1946 at Spalding High School teaching vocational agriculture and basic shop. In 1953, Nelson moved to Griffin High School to teach vocational agriculture and served as the Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor. In 1964, because of his attention to detail and problem-solving skills, Herman was asked to leave the classroom to help the district with transportation and maintenance. He became the Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance and Transportation for the district and served in that role until his retirement in 1981.
Herman Nelson served in the Army during World War II. He was captured by the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge and was a Purple Heart recipient. He was also a longtime Kiwanis Club member, served as a Sunday school teacher at his church and vice-president of the Georgia Vocational Association.
“Herman Nelson was a hardworking man who valued learning and maintained a calm demeanor no matter what challenges he faced. He was revered by everyone in the school system and one of the most respected individuals in our community. He was SPECIAL and his legacy lives on through each student whose life he touched,” stated his supporters.
Herman Nelson passed away in 1994. His grandson, Stoney Setzer, will accept the award in his honor.
Dr. Pat Phillips served GSCS and Griffin High School for 36 years. She taught home economics, science, physics, chemistry and served as the head of the science department. Dr. Phillips was named a STAR teacher in 1974, a 1983 Regional and National Catalyst winner and Griffin RESA Exemplary Science Teacher for 1990-1991. She required that her students do Science Fair projects and she worked with them to produce projects that won regional, state and national awards and scholarships. She worked tirelessly to get a school bond referendum passed for many years, finally resulting in the SPLOST that paid for the current Griffin High School to be built. She helped design the classrooms and labs at that school and championed a nature trail. She set up a program for visiting professionals to come and speak to students about careers in science. She influenced many students to believe in and better themselves and inspired many to become doctors, scientists and teachers.
“Dr. Pat Phillips was an amazing teacher who demonstrated empathy and compassion for each of her students. She brought about meaningful social change as an educator and showed all her students that a woman can work hard, study hard and love their family hard and achieve balance. She was a powerful and positive lady who left every life she touched better for having known her,” stated her supporters.
Dr. Pat Phillips passed away in 2013. Her son, Bill Phillips, will accept the award in her honor.
Margaret Weldon served GSCS for 37 years. She spent 24 years teaching English at Spalding Junior High School and 13 years working with gifted students in Program Challenge, both in the junior high school and at Griffin High School. She was one of the first teachers to work with the Program Challenge in GSCS and helped develop the program. When she transferred to the high school, she worked with the Program Challenge students in developing the first Advanced Placement classes in the high school. She also served as the Griffin High School Academic Bowl Coach and Math Team Advisor. During her teaching career, Weldon was named a STAR teacher three times by her students.
Her career spanned forty-plus years and included retiring three times, with the final retirement in 1993 when she was 78. Even after retirement, until she was 90, she was known for her command of the English language, grammar and structure, and assisted many friends who were doing undergraduate and graduate work with their papers.
Margaret Weldon passed away in 2012. Her son David Weldon will accept the award in her honor.
GSCS Superintendent Dr. Keith L. Simmons stated, “All of these inductees have made outstanding and significant contributions to the students, staff and parents of Griffin-Spalding. Their dedication and service to the students of this community has made a lasting impression. I am proud to honor these exceptional educators and induct them into the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame.”
Original source can be found here.
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