Warrior Magazine December 2018

Hattiesburg with children Taylor, Jack and Payne. Stephanie and husband, Brian Shaw, live in Madison with their children, Cade and Luke. Jonathan Taylor and wife, Donna, live in Madison and have one daughter, Aspen. George is the son of Elaine Freeman Taylor, who still resides in Decatur, and the late George Taylor, Sr. He has one brother, Gerald Tay lor, who resides in Ridgeland with his wife, Wanda. Gina Hollingsworth Gordon (’89) When asked how she felt about being selected ECCC Alumna of the Year, Gina Hollingsworth Gordon said, “It is one of the greatest hon ors I’ve ever received. Being a native of Newton County, ECCC has always been a part of my life. My parents instilled in my sisters and me the value of an education and it was a given that my twin sister and I would attend East Central upon graduation. Throughout my life, I visited the campus for high school functions, attended ballgames, and knew most teachers before I began my college career. Being given this honor is recognition of my parents’ desire for our suc cess, and also is a tribute to all of the wonderful memories I have of this school.” Gordon serves as the gifted education teacher for grades two through sixth at Newton Munici pal School District. Her role in cludes designing a curriculum for gifted children using standards set by the Mississippi Depart ment of Education. Her students participate in competitions with other gifted students in the area through the East Central Talented and Gifted program. Her fellow teachers said there is nothing Gordon wouldn’t do for her students or her school and that she often times can be found planning activities that include not only her gifted students, but programs in which she would invite the entire school to participate. She can also be found helping out with reading fairs, science fairs, literacy nights, and other special events throughout the school year. Gordon puts her students above everything else and she says they will always be the highlight of her career,

along with her great team of co-work ers. “Seeing my students’ successes in life inspires me and allows me to wit ness my influence on them. I’m lucky to get up every morning and go to a job I love. Not only are my students great, but the people I am fortunate to

contest for a technology lesson she cre ated, which resulted in her classroom being awarded Samsung tablets. She has been a Karen Wallace Geography Teacher of the Year, which is presented to teachers who teach geography in creative ways in their classrooms, and most recently received the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year. “The Golden Apple Teach er of the Year Award was a great honor because I felt like it was not only for me, but great recognition for my school,” Gordon said. Gordon said she knew when she was in fourth grade that she wanted to be a teacher, but as she got older and realized teaching was not the best paying profession she decided to go a different route. It was at East Central where she realized she was meant to be a teacher. “I never seemed happy in my choice and I knew I had a different calling,” she said. “East Central helped me to finalize my decision to follow my calling. The caring teach ers and counselors there taught me to follow my heart and to see that life is short so be happy in what you choose to do in it.” Gordon said the highlight of her time as an EC student was the dedicated professors who took time with each student to ensure that they were meeting the edu cational needs of that student. Teachers went out of their way to make sure that each class was an enjoyable educational experience. “I had many professors who made an impact on me at East Central,” she said. “It’s especially surreal to see their names now on most buildings around campus. Ms. Lucille Wood taught me to always say what you mean and mean what you say. Mr. Ovid Vickers taught me the power and beauty of the spoken and written word. Dr. Richard Ethridge taught me to love and respect history. Mrs. Alice Pouncey taught me the power of a great mentor. Mr. Bubby Johnston showed me a love of the arts which I instill in my own students every year. Mr. Ron Davis taught me to al ways teach with kindness and a gentle heart.”

George Taylor

Gina Gordon

work with every day are the kindest, hardest-working people I’ve ever met. They’ve always been so supportive of me in anything that life presented to me and have shown me the power of teamwork.” Gordon has received numerous honors during her 24 years in educa tion. She was named as a Samsung state finalist in the Solve for Tomorrow

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