Lamar School is proud to welcome Mrs. Tabitha Chaney as our new 6th and 7th grade English teacher. With a heart for middle schoolers and over two decades of experience in both the classroom and administration, Mrs. Chaney brings a powerful combination of wisdom, enthusiasm, and faith into her teaching.

Her journey into education wasn’t part of the original plan—but it was clearly meant to be. “I started college as a nursing major,” she shared. “But during my first summer, I worked at Gulfshore Baptist Assembly in Pass Christian, MS. It was there the Lord spoke to me and told me He wanted me to be a teacher. I came home and changed my major to education.”

Mrs. Chaney went on to teach 6th grade English Language Arts for 13 years before serving 12 years in administration. Now, she’s returning to her first love: the classroom. “I’ve missed being with students and being able to connect with them daily,” she said. “A friend encouraged me to look into Lamar, and after prayer and meeting some of the people here, I knew this was where God wanted me to be next.”

What she loves most about teaching English is the chance to build strong foundations—both in academics and in character. “I love teaching grammar rules to 6th graders. It’s foundational,” she said. “And I look forward to instilling a love for reading and writing in my 7th grade students.”

Keeping middle schoolers engaged, she says, is all about relevance. “If it’s interesting to them, they’ll connect with what you’re trying to teach,” she explained. “When students walk into my classroom, they can expect to learn—and have a little fun, too.”

For Mrs. Chaney, middle school is the sweet spot. “To know middle school students is to love them,” she said. “They’re still figuring out who they are, and I love being a part of that process—helping them discover their identity and what they want to become.”

More than anything, she hopes students leave her class not only with knowledge—but with love. “I hope they remember grammar rules,” she smiled, “but more than that, I hope they remember that they were loved. I hope they see Jesus in me, and that they develop a love for Him that they can share with others.”

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Chaney enjoys traveling, learning new things, cheering at sporting events, and being involved in church activities. Fun fact? She played basketball in high school!

Looking ahead to this school year, she’s most excited to meet her students and build relationships in the Lamar community. “I believe I was called into education to make a difference in the lives of children,” she said. “And I hope to continue doing that—both inside the classroom and by supporting students in all areas of their lives.”

Please help us welcome Mrs. Chaney to the Lamar family