HoCo Top 10 Teacher of the Year: Jodi Short

Over the course of the 2021-2022 scholastic year, the Houston County School district district will be introducing its Top Ten Teachers of the Year for the county. Amongst those top ten teachers is this month’s spotlight, Mrs. Jodi Short, an early intervention-reading instructor at Lake Joy Primary School in Warner Robins.

“This experience has been very exciting and rewarding, as I have received an overwhelming amount of support and love from the community,” Short said, citing that it is a privilege to have been selected as Teacher of the Year at Lake Joy Primary.

Short also explained how she has always been eager to help children learn and grow. She feels that you can change the world for the better by working with children. “My inspiration comes from my peers, who push me to become a better researcher, teacher and coach everyday.”

Reminiscing about her past, Short explained that another part of her inspiration comes from educators who have taught her in the past. “My second-grade teacher, Mrs. Shirley Cray, made learning fun and built a relationship with each of her students. There was also Mister Wendall Ramage, who helped me understand that life is too short to let things affect me at school. Mrs Ginger McCraine and her love for professional development was another big inspiration for me as well.”

Early in life, before being an educator was a goal of hers, Short recalled having aspirations of becoming an astronaut. “I dreamed of going to space camp and finding life on other planets. I still may go to space camp, one day,” she added. “The thought of being confined to a shuttle always gave me hives.”

Short recently began her 26th year as an early childhood educator, spending the last 16 of those years at Lake Joy Primary. She remarked that, “Balancing the diverse learning needs and roles in one classroom, are among my most challenging obstacles in teaching.” She explained that this is because teachers work tirelessly to differentiate their instruction to reach all students. “Watching a student find the spark that leads them on the journey as reader, has to be my favorite part of teaching.”

As a final message to all students, Short stated, “Be yourself and enjoy your journey. We can all learn and we can all be successful. Each of us has different gifts; seek out the gift that is special to you! Work hard, play harder and enjoy the great life that has been given to you.”

Jodi and her husband Mike have been married for 20 years, and she is also the mother of Carson and Cooper Short. She loves to travel, and watching UGA sports is her favorite pastime.

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