After 32 years of teaching in total, 27 of those being at Starr’s Mill, economics teacher Walt Ellison has decided to retire.
“On paper I can teach any of the maths, could teach special ed., could teach any social studies course, and I could be an assistant principal,” Ellison said. “I wanted to be an economics teacher.”
Since teaching special education for 12 years, Ellison loves teaching in collaborative classes. He loves being able to teach a large group of students who do not necessarily fit in with the most stereotypical crowd.
“Students come and go, but really the people all up and down this hallway are the best relationships,” Ellison said.
Faith is a central part of Ellison’s life. He and his wife, a retired science teacher, started Jireh Farms to combine their faith and their retirement goals.
“My last official day is May 28, and after that I am an official full-time farmer,” Ellison said. “‘Jireh’ is an old Hebrew word that means God is our provider.”
More information about their farm can be found on Instagram (@jirehfarmsga).
Ellison graduated from McIntosh High School. He attended Young Harris College and graduated from the University of Georgia two years after that. His teaching career started at Fayette County High School.
“Build relationships, that’s what teaching is all about,” Ellison said. “Relationships with students, and relationships with colleagues, that’s how to get successful.”