A lasting impression: Meet inspiring teacher, Greg Kennedy

Mr. Greg Kennedy was chosen as 2024 -25 Emanuel County Institute Teacher of the Year. He has been teaching for 25 years and has always taught at ECI since Fall of 2000. Greg began teaching PE and Health, History, and some Science at the high school level. For the last 10 years, he has taught sixth and seventh grade Social Studies. Greg started out coaching High School football, basketball and baseball, and was also the High School Softball head coach for a few years. The last 15 years, he has been the head middle school football coach, and the head middle school baseball coach for the last four years. Greg also leads the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club at ECI. This is Mr. Kennedy’s second time being chosen as Teacher of the Year for ECI.

Greg grew up in Statesboro and graduated from Statesboro High School and Armstrong State College in Savannah. He played four years of college baseball at Armstrong. Greg also has a Master’s and a Specialist Degree in Teaching and Learning. After college graduation, he got his first teaching and coaching job at ECI in the 2000-01 school year.

“I chose teaching because I enjoy working with kids. I always enjoyed my teachers and coaches from my days as a student. I have such fond memories of my past teachers and coaches and was inspired to be able to make a difference in a child’s life. I also got into the profession because I wanted to coach kids, and teaching allowed me to do that. Coaching has been so rewarding and the main reason that I chose education, however, I have learned so much from teaching students in the classroom. I’m proud to say that I am a teacher and a coach.” Stated Kennedy.

“I can remember many teachers that left a lasting impression on me as a student. I don’t think there is actually one who I would single out, but they all made big impressions molding me into the teacher that I am today. I can remember such good memories from my teachers from my days in school. All of those memories leave a smile on my face and that is what I hope to leave my students with. Hopefully they will have good memories of my class.” Kennedy added.

Greg is married to Emily Kennedy who is the registrar and secretary at Twin City Elementary. They have three kids; Jackson is 16 and is in the 11th grade, William is 14 and is in the 8th grade and Anderson is eight and is in the 2nd grade. Greg serves as a Deacon at Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church.

Mr. Kennedy enjoys spending time with his family. They enjoy going to Georgia Southern football games, hunting, riding ATV’s or just spending time watching tv. He also enjoys going to church and reading his Bible.

When asked what Mr. Kennedy would like to say about ECI and staff, his responses was, “I came to ECI 25 years ago with the intention of only staying until another job came along. Well, 25 years later I am still here. I love ECI, I love the community, and I love the small town, small school, and family atmosphere. The admin and staff are all great to work with and all work together to make ECI a great school. Work does not seem like work when you have colleagues who are more like family and friends. I love going to work to see the coaches and 6th grade team that I work with. They make my job easier, and they make work fun. I could not imagine working with a better group of people.”

Now that you’ve met the teacher and read her story, read her Q/A’s below to further understand Greg Kennedy’s incredible values of teaching and how she’s changing and inspiring young lives in our community.

What have you found most rewarding in your career?

Kennedy: The most rewarding part of my career has been seeing students become successful, productive citizens. I enjoy seeing former students who are now adults. Being able to see how those students have developed into adults is such a reward.

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Do you feel that each of your students have left a lasting impression on you?

Kennedy: I do feel that all students leave an impression of some type, just as all teachers leave an impression on their students. Those impressions can be good or bad, but they are there. This is why it is always important to treat each person that you come in contact with the utmost respect. Always be nice to one another even on your bad days.

What advice would you like to give to new or upcoming educators?

Kennedy: The advice that I would give to upcoming educators is to not get so caught up in the test scores or wins and losses. Make your focus more about the individual student and the relationships that you build with those students. Teach them more about life skills and how to be a good human being. This will take them further in life than some test score.

How does it make you feel to see the success that many of your previous students have become?

Kennedy: As I stated earlier, seeing successful past students is such a reward. I have so many past students that have become such good, productive people and have also become my friends. It’s neat to be able to work with past students and teach their children.

If you could tell your past students or future students one thing that you hope will stick with them all throughout life, what would that be?

Kennedy: The most important thing I would tell them is to always put God first in all that you do. Everything else will take care of itself. Also, be nice to one another and always give your best effort at everything you do.

What’s a favorite memory or some of your favorite memories that you have from your time as an educator?

Kennedy: I have many favorite memories from my years teaching and coaching at ECI. There are so many that I could name and so many are because of the people that I work with. There have been some great colleagues and friends who have worked and are still working at ECI. I guess if I had to pick a certain memory, it would be ones that have involved teaching and coaching my own children. It is so special to be able to teach and coach them. Making memories with them and watching them develop throughout the years has been such a great blessing that I’ll never forget.