Thursday, September 18, 2025–7:45 a.m.
-Rome City Schools News Release-
Loving their job, the people they work with, and being able to have an impact on students was a common theme heard by the winners at Rome City Schools’ Exemplary Professionals Banquet on Tuesday night at the College and Career Academy at Rome High School.
Anna K. Davie Elementary’s Chase Bowles was chosen from an outstanding field of teachers as the district’s Exemplary Teacher of the Year.
“Being named teacher of the year is a blessing. It means a lot to me. It means a lot to my family.
It means a lot to everybody that I work with, my school, and all the kids that I teach. It’s just an overwhelming blessing,” he said.
A teacher was chosen as Exemplary Teacher of the Year at all eight schools. A selection committee then chose the overall Exemplary Teacher of the Year.
The other Rome City Schools Exemplary Teachers are East Central’s Lisa Peck, Elm Street’s Charissa Ondovic, Main’s Monica Barton, West Central’s Charisse Mann, West End’s Sandy Mull, Rome Middle’s Manuel Pedroza, and Rome High’s Traci McPherson.
Although Bowles knew he could be the district winner, hearing his name called at Tuesday’s banquet still came as a shock.
“I was stunned. I’m not a person to accept a lot of fame and take things on, and so just being called out was a really, really big shock to me,” Bowles said.
Bowles, a third-grade math teacher at Anna K. Davie, said he enjoys engaging and empowering his students.
“We’re taking it one step at a time. We’re growing,” he said. “We’re going to have a rock star year at Anna K, and I really think it’s going to do some great things for our kids.”
Bowles will now represent Rome City Schools in the Georgia Teacher of the Year Program, where one system winner will be selected as the winner for the entire state.
Rome City Schools also honored two educators with more than 30 years of service to the district.
Penny Atkinson from Elm Street and Belinda Miller from Main were both honored for their years of service to Rome City Schools.
Susan Johnston, who works at the Central Office, was named the Exemplary Operational Staff Member of the Year.
Johnston was just as shocked as Bowles was when she heard her name called during the ceremony.
“It is such an honor. I was shocked when they called my name. I have enjoyed working with Rome City Schools, and I just feel truly blessed to be chosen,” she said.
An Exemplary Operational Staff Member of the Year was chosen for all eight schools and the central office. A committee then selected the overall district winner.
Other Exemplary Operational Staff Members of the Year include Anna K. Davie’s Alison Laipple, East Central’s Virginia Poole, Elm Street’s Hitchel Jacobo-Martinez, Main’s Milissa Copeland, West Central’s Clara Kidd, West End’s Brenda Vandermark, Rome Middle’s Mariesha Harris, and Rome High’s Gabriella Rivera.
Johnston said she loves many things about working for Rome City Schools.
“The environment is great. The staff is great. The support I get when I do my job day in and day out is great,” she said. “All three of my girls went through Rome City Schools. So I think this is a very special place.”
District Athletic Director and Rome High School Football Coach John Reid was named the Exemplary Leader of the Year.
Reid, who had to leave football practice early to attend the banquet, had no clue he was even nominated for the award.
“When the MC was describing the person, I was thinking that’s a person I’d like to meet. Then I got to thinking that some of it sounded familiar. Then they read my name out, and I couldn’t believe it,” Reid said. “I got embarrassed because it’s shocking. I go out in public and do speeches a lot, but any time you’re in a situation like tonight, you’re surprised. It was great.”
Reid mentioned that being honored along with the teachers and staff members is special to him.
“I think about all the people who were honored tonight…..The teachers who work in the classroom. The bus drivers and support personnel. It’s kind of humbling because I just go to work and do my job every day,” Reid said. “There are so many people who are so important to the system. I’m just honored to be considered amongst those people.”
Melissa Blattner was named the Exemplary Bus Driver of the Year. Blattner, who originally worked in the schools as a substitute teacher, had to be talked into becoming a bus driver.
“I was a substitute teacher in the schools, and I just wanted something a little bit more regular. I talked to my friend, and she told me I should become a bus driver,” Blattner said. “At first, I
Didn’t think I could do it because I was scared of how big the bus is, but my friend told me she thought I could do it, and she was right.”
Blattner says she enjoys her job, and whenever her own children complain about her driving, she reminds them that she is a professional driver. She also said her favorite part of the job is being with the kids.
“This is such an honor. It is wonderful that they believe in me. I love my kids. I love being a bus driver. It’s my favorite job,” she said. “I always tell my kids, my biggest responsibility is to get you to school and home safely. I love the kids. And I love being able to drive that big bus. That’s kind of a source of pride for me.”
Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland closed out the evening praising everyone who was honored.
“This school district isn’t great without all of you,” he said. “We appreciate what you do for our students. Thank you.”
