Anthony Blasingame – Houston County Crossroads Center

Anthony Blasingame is this year’s Houston County Crossroads Center, Teacher of the Year. Blasingame was hired onto the center in 2014 and is the high school science teacher there. He teaches ninth grade biology and 12th grade anatomy and physiology. Blasingame was born and raised in Roberta. He graduated from Crawford County High School in 1986. After high school, he attended Fort Valley State University on a tennis scholarship. While there he received his bachelor’s of science degree in biology and master’s of art in teaching biology (MAT). He received his specialist degree in curricula and instructions from Piedmont College. Blasingame is married and has 6-year-old son.

Why teaching?/What brought you into this field?

“Educating students has been a profession in my family over 30 years, and while my sisters are retiring, I have the opportunity to influence students’ lives through my own educational career. After college, I deviated from the biology field to build a business in masonry restoration alongside my family. For 20 years I worked on construction until the market took a turn for the worse in 2010. This setback helped me to make the decision to return to Fort Valley State University and enroll in and complete the MAT program. It is with help from my wife and my excitement for the biology field that I felt that educating others would be my future career. Upon graduation, I sought employment in the Houston County school district and joined the cougar staff at the Crossroads Alternative School.”

Any inspiration from past teachers?

“As I said earlier, I come from a family of educators, sisters, uncles and cousins. They all have had a great impact on me and inspired me to teach. One of my professors from college, Dr. Dan Black, made a statement one time. He said you will never get rich by teaching, but you’ll get rich in satisfaction.”

What do you like most about teaching?/What is the best part?

“Although I am very proud of all my past and present students for accomplishing their goals, one of the most fulfilling moments in my career for me was when a former student returned to inform me that I had such an impact on her educational journey through my teachings in anatomy and physiology class. She went on to tell that she entered college as biology major. This helped me to see that all of the time and effort I put into my teaching made a difference in one child’s life. It also led me to believe that teaching is what I am supposed to do. The best part of teaching is when that student who struggles finally gets it. I can work very hard to teach a lesson, and sometimes it may be one student that does not get it. I will work with that student until he or she gets it. When they get it, I love to see the joy in their eyes. I always tell them I feel like a proud father.”

What is the most challenging part of teaching?

“Motivating the unmotivated. It really upsets me when a student that is very well capable of doing the work does not do it. I really do want everyone to succeed, and I try my best to motivate this type of student because my students are my future. It is sometimes challenging to get this student to realize their full potential because other people are constantly putting them down. I simply try to be that voice of reason and hope that one day they will see their potential and do their work.”

Advice to students

“Always try your best, give it you all and never give up.”

Advice to parents

“Encourage your child to come to school and receive a good education because not all people are blessed with the opportunity. Reward them with positive behavior and good grades. Instill in your child that without an education, there are not many things they can do in this world.”

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