Tattnall County Schools celebrated pre-k students across the county during “P is for Pre-K” week, October 3-7, 2022. 

The pre-k students at South Tattnall Elementary School (STES), North Tattnall Elementary School (NTES), and Tattnall County High School (TCHS) were spoiled by the faculty and staff at each of their schools with activities, dress up days, special treats, and a pre-k parade just for them on Thursday. TCHS student athletes, Tattnall Shriners, Tattnall first responders, and other businesses and clubs handed out candy at the parade. 

Madison McArthur is one of the pre-k teachers at STES, and she enjoyed celebrating her students during this fun-filled week. 

“I enjoy teaching Pre-K, because of how fun it is,” McArthur said. “Pre-K is learning through play and through experiences, which is how I think kids learn best. I am honored to be the first teacher these kids experience in a classroom setting.”

McArthur began her teaching career while in the Work Based Learning program at Tattnall County High School (TCHS). She worked in Lana Shuman’s Pre-K classroom at Reidsville Elementary School and loved it. She then student-taught in first grade but decided Pre-K was where she belonged. 

“At such a young age, these students have taught me so much. They have opened my eyes to see the many causes and deeper meanings behind behavioral issues.” McArthur said. “I want to create a safe and loving environment for them.”

McArthur is the 24-year-old daughter of Quentin and Lynn McArthur of Glennville. She is a 2016 graduate of TCHS and a 2020 graduate of Valdosta State University (VSU), where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Elementary Education from VSU.

Marva Butler, a retired pre-k paraprofessional from NTES, misses her students every day. She was a paraprofessional at Reidsville Elementary School (RES) for 27 years. 

She most enjoyed the constant fun activities and crafts she would do with her students, which included building their own house after reading “This Is the House That Jack Built” and painting the kids’ feet green like grass. 

“I enjoyed it, and I miss it. It was not my intention to leave when I did, but I needed to for my health,” Butler said. “Those kids made me laugh daily… some of the things they would say were hilarious.”

Butler even taught one of her own sons, Craig Saxton, when he was in pre-k at RES, alongside Teacher Amy Kicklighter. She has two more sons, Marcus Butler and Timothy Early. Craig is now in his early twenties. 

“Your patience runs shorter when it is your own child misbehaving in class,” Butler said with a laugh.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Georgia  Pre-K Program.