During Thursday night’s Board of Education meeting, Bainbridge High School’s, Joseph Kelly was announced the Decatur County Teacher of the Year.

Kelly has been teaching at Bainbridge High School for the past 11 years. He teaches advanced mathematics, but works to make every day a fun experience in his classroom, he said.

Kelly chose to go into education because he said he had a desire to help others and also has an aptitude for mathematics. He knows mathematics can be a challenge for many young students, but said he welcomes the new challenge each day he walks in his classroom.

Kelly has his favorite quote posted in his classroom, hoping it inspires students and reminds him of what they are capable of every day.

“It is kind of fun to do the impossible,” it reads. The quote is by Walt Disney and helps everyone remember that, while it may seem impossible the real fun is figuring out how to make it a possibility and apply it in everyday life.

Kelly said he was very surprised to win Teacher of the Year, but he is very honored and humbled the community chose him.

He looks forward to moving on to the next phase of competition and hopefully making it to the state competition.

“I would really like to represent us at state and bring it home for Decatur County,” he said.

Kelly is thankful to his family and coworkers who have supported him and knows that any teacher chosen would have been a great contender for this achievement.