Columbia County School Board honors four "Teachers of a Lifetime"

The Columbia County School Board on May 20, 2025, honored four longtime educators as "Teachers of a Lifetime," recognizing their decades of service to Columbia County schools.

The recognition honored Sarah Lou Blanton, John Brown, Linda Moses and Art Holliday for their multi‑decade careers and community impact. The board and audience members described the event as a way to highlight teachers who have shaped generations of students.

Sarah Lou Blanton, a retired second‑grade teacher who began her career in Columbia County as a remedial math teacher and later taught at Melrose Park Elementary and Columbia City Elementary, was recognized for 37 years of service. "I am very honored to receive this award," Blanton said. The board noted she piloted new teaching strategies and showed "dramatic academic growth" in her students.

John Brown, who began his career teaching agricultural science in 1974 and later worked extensively with special needs students across the district, was recognized for 42 years of service. Brown, who also coordinated Columbia County Special Olympics for many years, recounted arriving in the area for a short assignment that turned into a long career and thanked colleagues and family. The district noted Brown led teams to competitions and received the Bill Crutchfield Award for the state of Florida for his Special Olympics work.

Linda Moses, a business education teacher who joined the district in 1976 and ran on‑the‑job training and CBE/DCT programs at Columbia High School, was honored for 43 years of service. Moses told the board she loved teaching and helping students earn while they learned. Art Holliday, a physical education teacher and longtime principal at Summers Elementary, was honored for 35 years of service; the board cited his service as a coach, teacher and school leader.

Board members and Superintendent Cooley praised the honorees for their longevity and impact. Several trustees described the evening as one of the highlights of the year and noted the personal influence long‑serving teachers have on students and on school culture.

The recognition took place during the regular board meeting after the board adopted the agenda and before routine business. No policy decisions or budget votes were associated with the recognition.

The board moved on to financial and personnel items after the ceremony; the meeting was adjourned later the same evening.