GCMS Principal Diane Blackman presents TOY honor to Trisha Garris

Trisha Garris, 8th grade Math I, Math, and Science Teacher was chosen by her peers to be Greene County Middle School’s 2020-21 Teacher of the Year.

Garris credits her drive to be a great teacher to having to work hard at school as a child. She says “  There were a few key teachers that if it were not for them I would have given up, I want to be able to encourage my students to keep trying and they can succeed.”

Garris attended East Carolina University and graduated in 2008 with my BS in Middle Grades Education. In 2011, she attended Central Michigan University to receive her  Masters in Curriculum Instruction and then attended East Carolina University again to receive my Masters in Educational Leadership in 2018.  

Throughout her 13 year career, Garris has worked at Norwayne Middle School and Brogden Middle School in Wayne County, Smithfield Middle School in Johnston County, Ayden Middle School, and G.R.Whitfield School in Pitt County, before joining the staff at Greene County Middle School. She is excited to be in Greene County where she hopes to make it her home. 

When asked what she loves about education she said, “ What I believe I love most about teaching is seeing that moment when a student doesn't give up but instead perseveres.  Seeing the growth that happens and the confidence it builds in them that they will carry forward with them to other adventures in life.  That moment is so special because you never know when that moment will change their future forever.”

This year, though filled with challenges, has helped her grow more than ever before. Garris says has been able to reach students through technology, small groups, and mini-check-ins that she would have never tried before during a traditional school year. 

She hopes that all of us will take what we have learned during this challenging year and use it to make a better tomorrow by building on the success that we have had.

For her future career plans, Garris has several goals that she would like to achieve.  Among them are becoming AIG certified and potentially someday becoming a coach to assist other teachers. 

Garris is in her 2nd year at GCMS, she has a husband Chris who is a Greene County Native, and a son Jackson.