Jerger Elementary presents Tireless Award, Bulldog Business Partner of the Month during BOE meeting
Published 8:26 pm Sunday, November 2, 2025
THOMASVILLE — The Thomasville City Schools Board of Education recognized two outstanding community members during its meeting on Tuesday night.
Each month, one school from the district recognizes a non-classified staff member and a business the school partners with for the Tireless Award and Bulldog Business Partner of the Month.
The Tireless Award is given to a non-classified employee who has been nominated by their principal as the glue that holds the school together.
Jerger Elementary School Principal Emily Newman chose Penny Mills, a Paraprofessional and Technology Teacher, as this year’s Tireless Award recipient.
“You have become a pillar around our campus,” Newman said. “Your dedication and efforts to our school do not go unnoticed; you are the face that welcomes our students each morning with a spirit that ensures everyone has the opportunity to start their day with a smile.”
Mills’ infectious energy carries through with her into the technology classroom and onto Jerger’s afterschool program each day.
“She starts her day at 7:30 in the morning and ends it at 5:45 on a good day,” Newman said. “Participating in special events, including STEM days, field days, fun runs, community parades, and YMCA water days, is, in your words, ‘nothing special,’ but to your school family, it makes the days go around.”
Newman went on to say that Jerger would not be complete without Mills’ tireless efforts and heart for the community.
She then invited Mills to receive the Tireless Award, as the audience loudly applauded.
Newman then recognized the Bulldog Business Partner of the Month, McGuire’s Lawn Care.
Owner Steven McGuire and his family recently gave their time and effort to enhance the Jerger campus with two garden boxes this past spring.
“From removing the outdated boxes to purchasing supplies and dedicating a weekend of your time, you did not shy away from the opportunity for our teachers to enhance lessons beyond the classroom walls,” Newman said.
The new garden boxes allowed students to grow flowers this past spring when focusing on the life cycle of a seed. To date, Jerger students have witnessed the sprouting of pumpkin seeds before their own eyes.
“Your business partnership has enhanced our campus and created engaging experiences for our students,” Newman said. “Thank you for your commitment to our school community.”
Newman noted this was not a lone project, but a true family affair as McGuire, his wife, and their little ones were with him the whole time.
“So, thank you to not only you, but your family for your commitment to our school,” she said. “We appreciate all of you.”
McGuire was then presented with a plaque by Newman to hang inside his business.
Newman concluded by thanking all of the Jerger staff who showed up to support both McGuire’s Lawn Care and Mills for their hard work and dedication.
link