Golden Apple Award: Julie Kirby Jones, Gordon Lee High School

CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. (WDEF) – Julie Kirby Jones is a work-based learning teacher for Chickamauga City Schools. She places students in jobs that align with their goals and aspirations. She’s great at it.

She’s also a full-time media specialist. She’s great at that, too.

News 12 caught up with Mrs. Jones at Gordon Lee High School to give her the Golden Apple Award.

“She is amazing. She does it for the kids; she’s always got a smile on her face. Kids love coming to see her coming to hang out with her. She’s just a blessing and joy to have around,” said Gordon Lee Principal Michael Langston.

When asked to describe herself, Mrs. Jones says, “I’m business teacher. I love work-base. I love the program. I have a beautiful daughter. She’s also an educator. My mom is a retired teacher.  So, I enjoy working with the people in the community and trying to establish more relationships. So, we can put our kids to work, and help work with the community and build them up. And give our children opportunities to be in the community and gain life skills.”

“My dad… Well, my dad is an awesome guy. He loved business. And then my grandfather was a business owner in the area, too. So, it’s in my blood,” Mrs. Jones continued. “My office is full of invitations for weddings, for baby announcements. I’ve adopted a few kids along the way as basically family members. So, I feel very blessed. It’s a rewarding job in that you always get remembered.”

Cailee Grace, a senior at Gordon Lee, explained why she loves Mrs. Jones’s classes.

Grace said, “Mrs. Jones is just always there for you when you need her to be, and she’s an amazing teacher. I’ve had her for multiple classes, and I love her.”

Senior Allie Black chipped in, “I love Mrs. Jones. I have her for dual enrollment and work-based learning, and she helps me whenever she can.”

“Mrs. Jones is a great teacher,” added senior Brock Wilson. “She helps me when I need her. And she works with me pretty closely on my work-based assignments.”

Mrs. Jones wants the kids to remember, “Hopefully some of the life lessons. I’ve said, hopefully, a lot of the things that I’ve quoted and said. You know, just random things that I have said. I used to always say, ‘Well you know when I’m dead and gone, y’all can know that’s just… that was Mrs. Jones, went on to the grave with that one. But sit down and do this and learn that, because you will need it.’ Because at the end of the day, if they don’t understand how to function in life, we’ve really wasted our time.”