Brooks County High School Principal Chris Chastain recently announced that Brandon Evans had been selected as the BCHS Teacher of the Year. Evans graduated from the College of Coastal Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education (2015), Valdosta State University with a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (2017) and a Specialist’s degree in Teacher Leadership (2019). “I always wanted to be involved with schools and athletics. Like a lot of teachers, I had a teacher and coach who influenced me. John Smith was a teacher when I attended Brantley County High School. He taught history and coached football. When I was a senior in high school and football was over he took me under his wing and spent time with me. He taught me how to play golf and showed me what a relationship with Christ looks like. I became a part of his family. To this day he attends every football game that I coach in and we talk weekly. He enjoyed his day to day job as a teacher and coach and I knew I wanted to do what he did. I'll never repay him for what he's done for me but each day I try by helping our young kids be the best version of themselves.” stated Evans who currently teaches U.S. History.
Mr. Chastain, principal, said, “Coach Evans builds great relationships with his students. He greets each student in the hallway every day whether he teaches them or not. He has a unique way of linking his US History content to the present day and capturing his students' attention. He believes each student can be independent learners, but encourages collaboration through his instructional activities. He combines his passion in the classroom with his passion on the football field as he lays it all on the line for the Trojans.” Coach Evans believes in the importance of building relationships with his students. Building relationships through inside jokes or by acknowledging each and every student, Evans finds that to be the most rewarding part of teaching. “Kids can tell when you really care about them. Seeing kids outside of school in our community is always really cool too. Going to Food Lion is always a treat because it is a guarantee that I will see at least three current or former students. When kids yell "what's up Coach E!" from across the store I know I'm doing something right.” said Evans.
Evans finds inspiration from the students he teaches. During his second year at Brooks County High School, a student enrolled in his class did not speak English. During an assigned group project which included a presentation in front of the class, Evans was prepared to grade the student’s written work and allow him to exempt the oral presentation. The student insisted on presenting. “When it was his turn, he went to the front with another student who was bilingual and he presented in Spanish while she translated. He was animated and while no one knew what he was saying until it was translated, everyone enjoyed it. That presentation showed me that if this kid can present in a different language in front of a class of 30 teenagers then there is never an excuse for me not to get something done.” explained Evans.
Coach Evans and wife, Kelly, are parents to Lincoln, age 2. When not on the football field, he can be found playing golf at the beautiful Quitman Country Club. Coach Evans will represent Brooks County High School for the 2021-2022 school year as Teacher of the Year and will compete at the district level for the title of Brooks County Schools Teacher of the Year. The BCS Teacher of the Year will be named at the Teacher of the Year banquet hosted in the fall. Pictured is Coach Evans with wife Kelly and son Lincoln.