Student Success: LaReece Stewart

salvete, omnes! My name is LaReece Stewart, and I graduated from UGA in 1993 with
a B.A. in Latin. During my time there, I was challenged to prepare fully and
independently. Initially I was a psychology major and decided to change said major to
Latin AS A JUNIOR after meeting with Dr. Richard LaFleur and Dr. Jim Anderson. At
first my parents were not overly thrilled since this meant my staying at UGA for an extra
year; however, they both understood my reasons when I began teaching and loved life!
My first teaching job was at George Walton Academy, and I learned so much about
teaching from the administration and staff. Unfortunately, my numbers of Latin
scholars dipped so low that I felt compelled to seek other opportunities for earning a
living. So, I went to paralegal school (lots of Latin in legal terms!) in Atlanta and
worked in the legal field in Athens for ten years. During all of that time though,
something profound was missing. Students. Interactions with teenagers. Working
alongside amazing faculty. And so, I returned to teaching in 2008! I had reached out
to schools around the Athens area and was lucky enough to meet with Morgan County
High School (Madison, Georgia) in 2008. The principal and administration there
wanted to add Latin to their world language opportunities! I interviewed there and
absolutely felt at home! In the fall of 2008, I started a Latin program with twelve
students. Numbers grew steadily, and I now teach extended-day (no planning period)
for the third year in a row: 90 Latin 1 students, 85 Latin 2 students, Latin 3 Honors,
and Latin 4 AP! I recruit students from all backgrounds: athletes, fine arts, siblings,
cousins, neighborhoods, gifted education, and special education. Each day in the
classroom allows me to connect with students in so many different ways. Starting in
2011, I have traveled internationally with students from Morgan County High School.
Visiting Pompeii with my students never ceases to amaze me. They are mesmerized
by what they see and experience in this ancient town. They place their hands on the
buildings ancient Romans constructed and used so long ago. When they see their first
impluvium, they recognize they are in the atrium of the house. Over and over, students
will say, “Ms. Stewart, I remember us studying about ________, and here it is!” Our
local tour guides are astounded at what my students know about architecture when we
tour Pompeii and Rome. Recently, I was honored in being selected as the 2022-2023
Teacher of the Year for Morgan County High School AND for Morgan County Charter
School System! All of this started with an amazing education at the University of
Georgia Classics Department. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the faculty
(Dr. Jim Anderson, Dr. Naomi Norman, Dr. Rick LaFleur, and Dr. Charles Platter) and
staff and friends (Dr. Erika Hermanowicz) for supporting me and for challenging me to
learn Latin and ancient Roman culture.