Griffin-Spalding County School System -

In August, the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) sought nominations of exemplary educators who made outstanding and significant contributions to students, staff, parents and the community during their employment at GSCS. All nominees must have been employed at GSCS for a minimum of 10 years and retired for at least five years. Five nominees were chosen to represent the Class of 2026 Educator Hall of Fame inductees.

Hoby Davenport

With more than 35 years of service, Hoby Davenport has made significant positive impacts and numerous contributions to GSCS. He began as a teacher at Beaverbrook Elementary before advancing to assistant principal at Spalding Junior High. He then served as principal at Anne Street Elementary, Beaverbrook Elementary, Cowan Road Elementary, Griffin High School At Risk Night School, East Griffin Elementary and Cowan Road Middle School. He was also principal of the first school to transfer a charter in the state when he opened Futral Road Elementary.

Being an avid hunter, fisherman, and farmer, Davenport’s love of the outdoors became a powerful part of his educational legacy. He found ways to bring those passions into the school and use them to connect with students, staff and families. He became famous for his fish fries which were not simply meals; they were expressions of appreciation, community, and family. He brought his tractor to school, created a garden, and taught students about planting, farming, and caring for the land, which became a highly popular student club. He would also bring buckets of vegetables from his home garden to share with staff and families. Even after retiring, he continued sharing his passion and investing in students by establishing a fishing club for students at Spalding High.

A former colleague of Davenport wrote, “Perhaps one of Mr. Davenport's greatest gifts was his ability to correct without humiliating, teach without condemning, and hold people accountable while extending grace. He was loved because people knew he genuinely loved them. His career represents a lifetime of service, advocacy, compassion, and commitment to students. His story is a reminder that an educator's influence is not measured solely by test scores, titles, or years of service, but by the people who are better because that educator chose to care. He did not simply educate children. He created opportunities, built relationships, served others, and helped people believe in what was possible. That is the legacy of being a Hall of Fame educator.”

Julia Elliott

Julia Elliott served as an educator for 42 years. In 1947, she began teaching at Griffin High School and remained there for 22 years. She taught Speech I, II, and III and Government. Elliott also served as school council advisor, coached students in oratorical competitions and spent many hours directing students in theatrical productions, arranging school assemblies and conducting graduation exercises. She was named District Teacher of the Year in 1957 and was runner-up for Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Elliott was named Woman of the Year by the Griffin Kiwanis Club and was president of the Georgia Speech Association where she was instrumental in convincing the Georgia Board of Education to start certifying teachers of Speech. In 1965, she entered a contest to name Atlanta's new NFL team.  Her entry, the Falcon, won because of her description of the Falcon as "proud and dignified with great courage and fight.  It never drops its prey.  It's deadly and has a great sporting tradition." Her award was a great source of pride for our community.

Elliott’s nominator wrote, “Julia Elliott could be the poster child for being a role model for current and future generations.  She was a woman of faith who encouraged her students to do their best and inspired them to embrace new challenges.  Julia valued truth, honesty and compassion which she modeled along with humility.  There is no way to measure the countless number of students who went on to have careers made possible because they were good public speakers:  teachers, thespians, theologians, political leaders, public servants and many more.”

Elliott passed away in 1990, her cousin Lydia Cain Cavanaugh accepted her award.

Barbara Nash

Mrs. Nash dedicated 30 years to education. She spent most of her distinguished teaching career at Moore Elementary School as a fifth Grade ELA/Science Teacher. A master educator, Nash transformed hundreds of GSCS students into analytical thinkers, confident readers, and curious scientists.

Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and accolades, including Teacher of the Year. Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Nash has served as a mentor and support system for many beginning teachers. She is a certified TAP Mentor and Teacher Support Specialist who holds numerous endorsements, including Gifted and Reading. She also earned a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership, further demonstrating her commitment to educational excellence and leadership. Most recently, Nash has been selected to serve as a mentor through the GSCS Wisdom in Senior Educators Mentoring Program.

“Teaching has never been merely a job for her; it has been a calling. She has consistently demonstrated the qualities that define an exceptional educator—patience, integrity, empathy, perseverance, leadership, and an enduring love of learning. Her legacy can be measured not only by the students she personally taught, but also by the educators she has and is now helping to shape. The impact of her work continues to multiply, making her influence one that will endure for many years to come.  She continues to give her time, knowledge, and heart to education because she understands that great teachers have the power to change lives,” stated her nominator.

Jimmy Passmore

Jimmy Passmore devoted an extraordinary 43 years of service to the GSCS Maintenance Department. As the maintenance supervisor, he took pride in his work and made sure the job was done 100% to meet the safety requirements. He was committed to ensure the safety of every student and employee of GSCS. Jimmy was on-call around the clock with everything from security alarms going off to heating and air issues. No matter the time of the call, he never complained and was always there with a smile. On countless situations, he would rise before the sun in freezing temperatures and head out to all the schools to make sure the heating units were all in working condition so the students and staff would be comfortable upon arriving.

Passmore’s service also extended beyond his everyday responsibilities. He represented the school system in many community activities such as the United Way Cardboard Boat Race, Relay for Life Committee and he completed Spalding County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, demonstrating his commitment to helping others during times of need.

Passmore’s former colleagues wrote, “Though Mr. Jimmy is probably not the typical nominee for the Educator Hall of Fame however; he has no doubt impacted thousands of students and staff during his 40+ year tenure. Educators come in many shapes, sizes, degrees, positions, etc. The educators who actually make a difference in our lives are the ones who made an impression on our hearts. Mr. Jimmy is that kind of educator, an example for us all to follow. His footprints will remain with GSCS long after his retirement because he always went above and beyond his job duties to lovingly build true community within our workplace. His example shows that success is measured not only by accomplishments, but by how you treat people, the pride you take in your work, and the difference you make through a lifetime of service.”

Betsy Walker

Betsy Walker devoted 34 years to GSCS. She spent 29 of those years teaching first grade at Crescent Elementary. During that time, she fostered a loving classroom, customized instruction, mastered positive feedback, and inspired colleagues with cheerful optimism while building lifelong bonds with students and families.

Outside the classroom, she actively supported fellow educators through Alpha Delta Kappa, a teachers' sorority providing scholarships for advanced degrees. Her quiet generosity continues to touch the school community today. Every year, Walker donates money so a child whose family cannot afford it can buy a book at the book fair. Even 11 years after retirement, she still bakes her famous chocolate chip cookies to welcome teachers back for the school year.

Walker’s former administrator wrote, “Betsy was, quite simply, a one-of-a-kind educator. She possessed something that simply cannot be taught. Her love for children was evident in everything she did. When students struggled, she chose to see possibility instead of failure, showing future educators that high expectations work best when paired with patience, grace, and steady encouragement. Walker also demonstrates the value of staying humble, continuing to learn, and supporting others. Rather than seeking praise, she led by example through daily dedication, cheerful approachability, and a willingness to mentor fellow teachers. By treating every student, parent, and coworker with dignity and respect, she showed that good character and authentic relationships matter most.”

GSCS Superintendent Dr. Donald Warren stated, “I am so proud of this tradition that honors exceptional educators by inducting them into the Griffin-Spalding Educator Hall of Fame. These amazing inductees, combined, served GSCS for 164 years. Their dedication, service and positive influence on the students of this community have made a lasting impression. Their positive ripple effect will be felt in our community for generations.”

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