Jefferson’s of Calhoun is pleased to announce that Lee Holley has been named the first-ever Jefferson’s Calhoun Teacher of the Year! Mr. Holley teaches band at Red Bud Middle School, where he has been the band director since 2021. A North Georgia native, Holley has taught band to sixth through eighth grade for 10 years.
Mr. Holley was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by students and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day–today, May 6–aims to recognize one of Calhoun’s many deserving educators. Jefferson’s selected Mr. Holley as the Calhoun Teacher of the Year for his energy, his infectious good humor, and his ability to make a welcoming environment for everyone who wants to learn music.
“Mr. Holley’s nominators spoke of how he treats his students like family,” said co-owner/franchisee Wayne Mullinax. “His students wrote that his class is a creative outlet for them, and that Mr. Holley is always able to make someone laugh. He treats his students with dignity, and his charisma has encouraged hundreds of students to learn music. We’re honored to recognize Mr. Holley for his dedication and his contribution to the Calhoun community.”
Holley will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and his achievement will be commemorated with a “Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year” plaque for all restaurant patrons to see.
“Becoming a teacher was a no-brainer,” Holley said in a statement. “Band has been a large part of my life since I was in middle school. Music has always been one of my biggest passions, and I enjoy the opportunity to teach my students through music–I really don’t know what else I would do.”
This year is the pilot run for the Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year award, launched as a sister program to Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award, which runs in the fall. The teachers’ initiative was open to teachers working with students of any age, and candidates could be nominated by students, parents and guardians of students, school officials, or other community members.