Golden Apple Award: Jori Day, Trion Elementary

TRION, Ga. (WDEF) – For most of us, education begins in Pre-K. Jori Day has helped generations of Georgians get off to a strong start in the classroom. Parents of Trion Elementary School students describe her as a bright light.

Beth Pelham is the principal.

She says, “Miss Jori is one of the most amazing educators I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. She is a blessing to all who know her. Our students greet her every single morning with hugs and love, and she is a true difference maker.”

Ms. Day says, “I’ve been a teacher for a very long time, and I’m a mother, so just a family person, in school person, pretty much, children just bring such joy to my life and give me purpose and this makes my heart smile.”

Her students told us, “She’s one of the best teachers on earth. She helps me with homework. She always takes us to the library, and I love her kindness when she does that to us cause she’s kind and she’s worth loving. She’s so sweet. Everyone loves her, and we all love her. She’s so kind to everybody. I like that she lets us go to her room and play with her toy. She’s kind she reads to us. She is so nice and I love her so much. I love her hugs and she is sweet. She is nice she helps us. She’s beautiful. She’s the best teacher I’m on earth. She’s a good teacher, and she’s beautiful. She’s one of my favorite teachers I’ve ever seen.”

Ms. Day concludes, “Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be a mom, and then once I had my own children and decided that I kind of want to be real involved in what they did, so I went to school to become a teacher for kids, my kids and other people’s kids and bring joy, so that just makes perfect sense.”