MOULTRIE, Ga. (WALB) -A Willie J. Williams Middle School teacher was surprised with the A+ Educator award for April after returning from retirement to continue working with students.

Noel Giles spent more than 30 years teaching at the elementary level before joining Willie J. Williams Middle School. She said she wants students to remember one thing after they leave her classroom.

“I want them to remember that I believed in them and that I trusted what they did and I knew that they had it in them to be the best they can be,” Giles said.

Giles went on to say, “And I’ve always told my kids, send me a graduation invitation because I want to be there for you.”

After retiring, Giles took a year off. Her passion for students brought her back to the classroom part-time.

Supporting English language learners

Giles now helps students whose first language is not English. Principal Dr. Josh Purvis said the transition from elementary to middle school can be difficult for any child, and more challenging for students adjusting to a new language. He says Giles has a way of putting them at ease and helping them succeed.

“It’s been amazing to see her connect with them,” Purvis said.

Purvis went on to say, “We talk a lot about capturing kids’ hearts before we capture their mind in order for us to really teach them and meet them. We’ve got to make a connection with them. And so, she’s especially talented at that.”

That connection has made Giles one of the most requested educators on campus by students and teachers. Colleague Mariesha McCray says Giles makes her job easier.

“It makes my job a whole lot easier having her in my classroom... If we could put a cape and an S on her back, she’d be like Superwoman. I think that she has impacted our students in this community, not just this year, but, you know, her previous work in elementary school tremendously. Like, people respect, they love her, they respect her, and I think that she will leave a long-standing legacy.”

As Giles finishes her 35th year as an educator, she offers advice for younger teachers.

“Take the time to get to know them and to teach them rituals and routines and that you’ll listen and that they can trust you,”

Giles went on to say, “But just make sure to take that time to be with them and know them.”

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