Dr. Sarida Hoy received the 29th annual Tom Jones Educator of the Year Award during halftime of the first Dalton High School home game. Shown from left to right are Dr. Jim Hawkins, superintendent; Sophie Hoy, Dr. Sarida Hoy, Ed Hoy; and Mike Maret, Dalton Education Foundation president.
The Dalton Education Foundation president, Mike Maret, presented the 29th annual Tom Jones Educator of the Year award to Dr. Sarida Hoy during halftime of the first Dalton High School football game.
Dr. Hoy, a forensic science and Advanced Placement biology teacher at DHS, received a crystal apple and a check for $3,000. DHS will also receive $1,000 as a part of the grant.
“I am so overwhelmed,” said Dr. Hoy.
“When they said they were announcing the award I said, ‘Oh, I was nominated for that.’ But I had no idea that my name would be called. It’s such an honor.”
The Tom Jones Educator Award recognizes educators in Dalton Public Schools who have made significant contributions in the education of children in Dalton and who symbolize excellence in teaching. Maret believes Hoy is a perfect recipient of the award.
“Dr. Hoy is an inspiration to both students and her fellow teachers,” said Mr. Maret. “She has been a huge asset to Dalton Public Schools and she’s very supportive of her students at school and of their extracurricular activities.”
Dr. Hoy began teaching while she was waiting to be accepted to medical school, a choice her father, who is also a teacher, encouraged her to make.
“I thought, ‘I can do this for a year,’” said Dr. Hoy. “And here I am over 20 years later. I want to come to school every day. It’s always new, always different.”
The majority of Dr. Hoy’s students are seniors and it is important to her that they continue their education. Among the many ways Hoy has impacted students, she applied for a grant from the foundation to take students on college visits to show them the application process.
“It’s all about the kids,” said Dr. Hoy. “Seeing my seniors reach the very end, seeing them at Harmon Field in May for graduation—that’s why I keep doing it. I keep doing it to see them reach their goals.”
Dr. Hoy accepted the award alongside her family: Her husband Ed and her daughters, Sadie and Sophie. Her husband, who knew about the award in advance to ensure she would be in attendance at the game, was surprised at her reaction to receiving the award.
“I’ve never seen her like this—speechless,” Mr. Hoy said. “It was so hard keeping this secret from her for so long. But I did. I got her here!”
Tom Jones was a longtime chairman of the Dalton Board of Education and a tireless supporter of DPS and education in our community. Following his death, the foundation founded the Tom Jones Educator of the Year to recognize and award outstanding teachers.
Dr. Sarida Hoy received the 29th annual Tom Jones Educator of the Year Award during halftime of the first Dalton High School home game. Shown from left to right are Dr. Jim Hawkins, superintendent; Sophie Hoy, Dr. Sarida Hoy, Ed Hoy; Bob Bethel, Dalton Education Foundation; and Mike Maret, Dalton Education Foundation president.