Greater Macon Chamber Hosts Reception for New Bibb County Teachers
On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at 3 p.m., the Business Education Partnership (BEP) and the Greater Macon Chamber hosted a welcome reception for nearly 300 new teachers joining Bibb County Schools. The event took place at Northeast High School’s auditorium, located at 1646 Upper River Road.
The reception featured a keynote address by Ron Clark, an acclaimed educator, author, and motivational speaker. Clark, who founded the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, is known for his work inspiring educators. The event also included a selection of finger foods provided by Vibes and Fall Line Brewery, and ice cream and Coke floats offered by Coca Cola and Fort Valley State University.
Jessica Walden, President and CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber and co-chair of the BEP, emphasized the importance of community support for educators. “When our community aims to create and retain top talent for a healthy workforce, there is no better area to focus than our educators,” Walden said. “We want our new teachers to ‘Choose Macon’—to live here, love here, and feel a sense of connection and purpose here.”
Dr. Dan A. Sims, Bibb County School District Superintendent and co-chair of the BEP, praised the support from business and community partners. “To have business and community partners show this level of support for educators is truly an amazing way to kick off our school year and welcome new teachers to Macon-Bibb,” Sims remarked.
The event was supported by the 2024 Emerge Grant for Innovative Programs by the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE) Emerge Task Force, in partnership with Georgia Power Company, and presented by Wesleyan College, along with additional local businesses.
