The American Dream, Cassiday-Style
By Carly Hallman
Life, liberty… and the pursuit of “The Bulldog Corner”. Thomas Jefferson would indeed be proud of the dedication and eloquence with which Mrs. Colleen Cassiday applied his prose to the education of children in Bryan County, Georgia.
Those of us lucky enough to have experienced “Ms. Cass” as a teacher, can not help but smile to recall the “Bulldog Thinking Corner”, the Current Events Days, the old Mac computer with the Carmen Sandiego game, record speed walks to the lunch room (…how did she walk that fast with those short legs?), and a person of unimaginable enthusiasm and compassion. Throughout her reign in Richmond Hill schools, Colleen Cassiday’s exuberant spirit and infectious disposition touched the hearts of thousands of children, as well as her peers, friends, parents, and even the animals of the community.
Named after her mother, Patty Colleen Cassiday was not the child perhaps most would imagine. Daughter of a U.S. Air Force pilot, the Cassiday family lived the transitory life typical of military families. Colleen recalls being an introverted, shy young girl, “the wall flower on a wall flower.” Although this may seem a paradox to those of us who know her now, the childhood characteristic that remained constant has been her determination to be a great teacher. Colleen decided in early grade school that she wanted to “write on a chalk board and grade papers with a red pen.” Never could she have fathomed the impact she would have on so many, especially in the Richmond Hill community.
Colleen’s sense of family values began early in her life. She recalls her favorite childhood memories when she and her mother, father, and younger brother would make “the trip.” Regardless of where they were living, every summer and Christmas, the Cassiday family would make the trek back to Oklahoma to see, as Cass says, the “kin folk.” She laughs as she reminisces about the bi-annual tradition, recalling the farms, cows, tractors, and outhouses. Yes... outhouses. Colleen goes on to explain that her grandparents did not have indoor plumbing until the late 1960’s. I received a bit of an unexpected lesson in “country bathroom jargon” as Ms. Cass recounted the winter trips and the need for “slop jars” in every room. She laughed when I got a disgusted look on my face and hesitantly murmured her characteristic, “Excuse me!” She then explained that, because it was too cold for the family to make their way to the outhouse in the winter months, each room had its own “slop jar” (aka- chamber pot). This experience obviously made quite an impact on Colleen as she now uses decorative ones as a toilet paper holder in her bathrooms. Don’t worry, they’re strictly decorative.
Colleen graduated 13th out of a class of more than 500 students from Jenkins High School in Savannah, GA. She recalls “flying under the radar” in high school, and not coming out of her “shell” until her sophomore year of college at the University of Georgia. Colleen Cassiday – a shell – even the turtles reading this article will be doubtful. But since then, there has been no looking back.
Although her love for all things GA Bulldogs never waivered, Colleen went on to complete her master’s degree in education at the University of Missouri. She first heard about an open position in a small town called Richmond Hill from a former employer from Savannah. She had already had 5 years educational experience in varying places such as Atlanta, St. Louis, and Louisville. Initially hesitant, as she had never heard of the town and the salary was significantly lower, Colleen quickly changed her mind upon interviewing with the then principal, Roger Jesup. She recalls the at-home interview in Mr. Jesup’s day lily patch. Colleen reminisces, “It was so charming… I thought, ‘This is so cool!’” and was surprisingly captivated. Apparently, Mr. Jesup knew talent when he saw it and offered Colleen the job even before he saw her transcript. She says she was “delighted to see such a pleasant and down-to-earth way of doing business.” Colleen admired that he took everything she said for “face value.” She comments, “I thought I had died and gone to teaching heaven.” At the time of her hiring, in 1976, that heaven consisted of only one K-12 school building-hard to imagine now, isn’t it?
After teaching 3 years of classroom curriculum, Colleen was faced with an incredible opportunity that would change her life forever. A group of talented, strong women were jumping on the innovative band wagon known as gifted education. Francis L. Meeks, June O. Baylor, Sallie Brewer, and Dahlia Rahn Davis asked the Richmond Hill faculty if anyone wanted to work with them to develop this new program. Colleen Cassiday was the only one to raise her hand.
In the 70’s, gifted education was a “hot item” and the state of Georgia was one of the first 5 states in the nation to spearhead the program. Bryan County schools were right there and ready to work. These women worked passionately to create, organize, and develop the gifted education program. You may have wondered why we now call this program “SEEK.” Who else but Ms. Cass would be better suited to create this name? “SEEK” stands for “Special Enriching Events for Kids.” Colleen reveals that she got the idea for the name from the Bible’s, “seek and ye shall find.” She explained, “Creating a new program, I figured we needed all the help we could get so what better source than ‘The Book’.”
Some time between developing and maintaining the new gifted education program, Colleen managed to meet and marry her best friend and the love of her life. This June, Colleen and Ken Coe will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. The two met through a church singles group. Although they ran in different circles, a white water rafting trip brought them together. Colleen recalls not know what she was doing and that she was making “quite a ruckus” in her raft, which was a few rafts in from Ken’s. This is when she claims they noticed each other. Ken corrects her and claims that he noticed her before the rafting trip. Not long after, Ken proposed to her at Johnny Harris Restaurant in Savannah and they were married in Whitfield Square in 1984. Fittingly, the pastor who introduced them came down from North Carolina to perform the ceremony. Ken currently works for the Army Corps of Engineers handling accounting and computer programming. “He’s such a nice guy,” Colleen exclaimed, “and from the get go, he realized that the number one thing in my life was teaching.” The friendship and mutual respect and understanding in the room with these two are unmistakable. Colleen remarks, “I am a little vocal.” Ken just chuckles.
Colleen and Ken have no biological children. However, each student fortunate enough to have had her as a teacher, indeed felt the quality of natural parenting inherent in her. Ken and Colleen are also extremely close and committed to caring for their extended family. Their family ties, however, do not stop there. They extend selflessly to animal welfare, a cause that has served as yet another bonding point for Colleen and Ken.
They have worked with the Save a Life foundation doing everything from financial statements, foster care of needy animals, and adoption of many …oh so many... They have had as many as 8 dogs at one time… for 15 years. I am sure that Mutley, Ike, Ty, Missy, Buffy, Cricket and Mandy (just to name a few), are utterly grateful. Colleen and Ken’s goal in this volunteer work is to “just make the dogs’ lives a little easier.” Colleen has also worked very hard to sponsor the event “Christmas for the Animals.” It is an animal food drive that she has organized for the Richmond Hill schools. She feels it is very important to show the students that “every little thing helps.” This effort is one that holds a dear place in Cass’ heart and she hopes that others have been touched by it as well, enough to continue it past her retirement.
Cass and Ken were also some of the original “green people.” Aliens, no… but avid recyclers and advocates of a better planet? Yes!!! Colleen and Ken have recycled in their own home from the beginning… even if it meant driving across the city to the only recycling center in the area at the time. Colleen also collects soda tabs at the school to teach students about the importance of recycling. In reference to the new “green fad”, although she is all for any sort of recycling effort, she is wondering why it took so long to catch on… “Hello… where y’all been?” she jokes. Colleen feels it is vital to plant the seeds of community involvement in her students’ minds and hearts. It is apparent that Ms. Cass leads by example.
As many of us know, Ms. Colleen Cassiday has retired from her reign at Richmond Hill schools. Her 39 years of devout dedication to education have been an absolute gift. It was a difficult decision for her to make. Her husband actually had to print out the retirement papers because she said she physically could not do it. However, she is confident with her decision. “I’m going out before I’m ready. I don’t want to be the last one to know its time for me to go,” she jokes. She renders the valuable advice that, “you should still be loving what you’re doing when you leave.”
Once a teacher, always a teacher. Although Colleen is leaving the education realm, she has no plans to sit by the wayside. Her essence and passion will surface wherever she goes and in whatever she does. However, for the first month of her retirement, Cass has made a goal to “learn how to say ‘No.’” Of course, she followed that with, “I hope I don’t eat my words on that.” This goal does not mean she will cease being the barrel of energy we all know and love. Colleen has already joined the YMCA and signed up for line dancing and gentle yoga classes. Lord, I hope they can keep up with her. She and Ken will continue their community involvement, recycling efforts, and continue looking out for their families and for the welfare of animals everywhere. Colleen looks forward to finding more time to read and enjoy her plants. Little known fact… Ms. Cass is a foliage fanatic! However, she quickly specified that she is biased only towards outdoor, low maintenance plants. She laughs at the idea of indoor plants, “I can’t be bothered to have that care.”
The retirement of Colleen Cassiday has left anything but a blank slate. Her husband’s pride for the incredibly positive impact that she had upon both the gifted program and the children whose lives she has touched throughout her career is obvious. In addition to jump starting and maintaining the gifted education program for 30 years and receiving numerous local and national recognition for her teaching, Cass is the only 2 time recipient of the Teacher of the Year award. However, when asked what her greatest accomplishment has been, she commented that she “prays God her work will speak for her and tell her story.”
I was one of the lucky souls who have been blessed by the presence of Ms. Colleen Cassiday in my life and one of her qualities that I most admire is the fact that she feels as if she is the lucky one. Colleen admits that she let teaching take over her life. Everyone who is close to her knows and accepts that teaching is her highest priority. However, she does it with such love and joy that, rather than alienate others, as some work-a-holics tend to do, she pulls others in with her infectious enthusiasm and somehow leaves everyone feeling better just for knowing her. She also admits that she only let that happen because she enjoyed it so much and it was “a beautiful fit.” It worked for her. Another thing that worked for her was the location. Throughout her 33 years in Richmond Hill, she and Ken have had opportunities to relocate with Ken’s accounting job; however, Cass exclaims “I couldn’t fathom leaving Richmond Hill.” She feels that the community “has been wonderful” to her, and she loves it. Well, that street certainly runs both ways.
Talk about pizzazz, this woman exudes an air that life is a precious gift and that one should go at it full speed, proving to all around her that devotion, hope, and faith are contagious. Ms. Cass is an exemplary teacher, wife, daughter, friend, philanthropist, and woman. She made the comment, “I’m really very simple.” “True,” I thought, “simply extraordinary.”
Ms. Cass,
Thank you for all you have done, not only for the gifted education program in Bryan County as a whole, but also for the joy that you have brought into every life you have touched. Good luck in all of your future endeavors. You go, Girl!
By Carly Hallman
Life, liberty… and the pursuit of “The Bulldog Corner”. Thomas Jefferson would indeed be proud of the dedication and eloquence with which Mrs. Colleen Cassiday applied his prose to the education of children in Bryan County, Georgia.
Those of us lucky enough to have experienced “Ms. Cass” as a teacher, can not help but smile to recall the “Bulldog Thinking Corner”, the Current Events Days, the old Mac computer with the Carmen Sandiego game, record speed walks to the lunch room (…how did she walk that fast with those short legs?), and a person of unimaginable enthusiasm and compassion. Throughout her reign in Richmond Hill schools, Colleen Cassiday’s exuberant spirit and infectious disposition touched the hearts of thousands of children, as well as her peers, friends, parents, and even the animals of the community.
Named after her mother, Patty Colleen Cassiday was not the child perhaps most would imagine. Daughter of a U.S. Air Force pilot, the Cassiday family lived the transitory life typical of military families. Colleen recalls being an introverted, shy young girl, “the wall flower on a wall flower.” Although this may seem a paradox to those of us who know her now, the childhood characteristic that remained constant has been her determination to be a great teacher. Colleen decided in early grade school that she wanted to “write on a chalk board and grade papers with a red pen.” Never could she have fathomed the impact she would have on so many, especially in the Richmond Hill community.
Colleen’s sense of family values began early in her life. She recalls her favorite childhood memories when she and her mother, father, and younger brother would make “the trip.” Regardless of where they were living, every summer and Christmas, the Cassiday family would make the trek back to Oklahoma to see, as Cass says, the “kin folk.” She laughs as she reminisces about the bi-annual tradition, recalling the farms, cows, tractors, and outhouses. Yes... outhouses. Colleen goes on to explain that her grandparents did not have indoor plumbing until the late 1960’s. I received a bit of an unexpected lesson in “country bathroom jargon” as Ms. Cass recounted the winter trips and the need for “slop jars” in every room. She laughed when I got a disgusted look on my face and hesitantly murmured her characteristic, “Excuse me!” She then explained that, because it was too cold for the family to make their way to the outhouse in the winter months, each room had its own “slop jar” (aka- chamber pot). This experience obviously made quite an impact on Colleen as she now uses decorative ones as a toilet paper holder in her bathrooms. Don’t worry, they’re strictly decorative.
Colleen graduated 13th out of a class of more than 500 students from Jenkins High School in Savannah, GA. She recalls “flying under the radar” in high school, and not coming out of her “shell” until her sophomore year of college at the University of Georgia. Colleen Cassiday – a shell – even the turtles reading this article will be doubtful. But since then, there has been no looking back.
Although her love for all things GA Bulldogs never waivered, Colleen went on to complete her master’s degree in education at the University of Missouri. She first heard about an open position in a small town called Richmond Hill from a former employer from Savannah. She had already had 5 years educational experience in varying places such as Atlanta, St. Louis, and Louisville. Initially hesitant, as she had never heard of the town and the salary was significantly lower, Colleen quickly changed her mind upon interviewing with the then principal, Roger Jesup. She recalls the at-home interview in Mr. Jesup’s day lily patch. Colleen reminisces, “It was so charming… I thought, ‘This is so cool!’” and was surprisingly captivated. Apparently, Mr. Jesup knew talent when he saw it and offered Colleen the job even before he saw her transcript. She says she was “delighted to see such a pleasant and down-to-earth way of doing business.” Colleen admired that he took everything she said for “face value.” She comments, “I thought I had died and gone to teaching heaven.” At the time of her hiring, in 1976, that heaven consisted of only one K-12 school building-hard to imagine now, isn’t it?
After teaching 3 years of classroom curriculum, Colleen was faced with an incredible opportunity that would change her life forever. A group of talented, strong women were jumping on the innovative band wagon known as gifted education. Francis L. Meeks, June O. Baylor, Sallie Brewer, and Dahlia Rahn Davis asked the Richmond Hill faculty if anyone wanted to work with them to develop this new program. Colleen Cassiday was the only one to raise her hand.
In the 70’s, gifted education was a “hot item” and the state of Georgia was one of the first 5 states in the nation to spearhead the program. Bryan County schools were right there and ready to work. These women worked passionately to create, organize, and develop the gifted education program. You may have wondered why we now call this program “SEEK.” Who else but Ms. Cass would be better suited to create this name? “SEEK” stands for “Special Enriching Events for Kids.” Colleen reveals that she got the idea for the name from the Bible’s, “seek and ye shall find.” She explained, “Creating a new program, I figured we needed all the help we could get so what better source than ‘The Book’.”
Some time between developing and maintaining the new gifted education program, Colleen managed to meet and marry her best friend and the love of her life. This June, Colleen and Ken Coe will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. The two met through a church singles group. Although they ran in different circles, a white water rafting trip brought them together. Colleen recalls not know what she was doing and that she was making “quite a ruckus” in her raft, which was a few rafts in from Ken’s. This is when she claims they noticed each other. Ken corrects her and claims that he noticed her before the rafting trip. Not long after, Ken proposed to her at Johnny Harris Restaurant in Savannah and they were married in Whitfield Square in 1984. Fittingly, the pastor who introduced them came down from North Carolina to perform the ceremony. Ken currently works for the Army Corps of Engineers handling accounting and computer programming. “He’s such a nice guy,” Colleen exclaimed, “and from the get go, he realized that the number one thing in my life was teaching.” The friendship and mutual respect and understanding in the room with these two are unmistakable. Colleen remarks, “I am a little vocal.” Ken just chuckles.
Colleen and Ken have no biological children. However, each student fortunate enough to have had her as a teacher, indeed felt the quality of natural parenting inherent in her. Ken and Colleen are also extremely close and committed to caring for their extended family. Their family ties, however, do not stop there. They extend selflessly to animal welfare, a cause that has served as yet another bonding point for Colleen and Ken.
They have worked with the Save a Life foundation doing everything from financial statements, foster care of needy animals, and adoption of many …oh so many... They have had as many as 8 dogs at one time… for 15 years. I am sure that Mutley, Ike, Ty, Missy, Buffy, Cricket and Mandy (just to name a few), are utterly grateful. Colleen and Ken’s goal in this volunteer work is to “just make the dogs’ lives a little easier.” Colleen has also worked very hard to sponsor the event “Christmas for the Animals.” It is an animal food drive that she has organized for the Richmond Hill schools. She feels it is very important to show the students that “every little thing helps.” This effort is one that holds a dear place in Cass’ heart and she hopes that others have been touched by it as well, enough to continue it past her retirement.
Cass and Ken were also some of the original “green people.” Aliens, no… but avid recyclers and advocates of a better planet? Yes!!! Colleen and Ken have recycled in their own home from the beginning… even if it meant driving across the city to the only recycling center in the area at the time. Colleen also collects soda tabs at the school to teach students about the importance of recycling. In reference to the new “green fad”, although she is all for any sort of recycling effort, she is wondering why it took so long to catch on… “Hello… where y’all been?” she jokes. Colleen feels it is vital to plant the seeds of community involvement in her students’ minds and hearts. It is apparent that Ms. Cass leads by example.
As many of us know, Ms. Colleen Cassiday has retired from her reign at Richmond Hill schools. Her 39 years of devout dedication to education have been an absolute gift. It was a difficult decision for her to make. Her husband actually had to print out the retirement papers because she said she physically could not do it. However, she is confident with her decision. “I’m going out before I’m ready. I don’t want to be the last one to know its time for me to go,” she jokes. She renders the valuable advice that, “you should still be loving what you’re doing when you leave.”
Once a teacher, always a teacher. Although Colleen is leaving the education realm, she has no plans to sit by the wayside. Her essence and passion will surface wherever she goes and in whatever she does. However, for the first month of her retirement, Cass has made a goal to “learn how to say ‘No.’” Of course, she followed that with, “I hope I don’t eat my words on that.” This goal does not mean she will cease being the barrel of energy we all know and love. Colleen has already joined the YMCA and signed up for line dancing and gentle yoga classes. Lord, I hope they can keep up with her. She and Ken will continue their community involvement, recycling efforts, and continue looking out for their families and for the welfare of animals everywhere. Colleen looks forward to finding more time to read and enjoy her plants. Little known fact… Ms. Cass is a foliage fanatic! However, she quickly specified that she is biased only towards outdoor, low maintenance plants. She laughs at the idea of indoor plants, “I can’t be bothered to have that care.”
The retirement of Colleen Cassiday has left anything but a blank slate. Her husband’s pride for the incredibly positive impact that she had upon both the gifted program and the children whose lives she has touched throughout her career is obvious. In addition to jump starting and maintaining the gifted education program for 30 years and receiving numerous local and national recognition for her teaching, Cass is the only 2 time recipient of the Teacher of the Year award. However, when asked what her greatest accomplishment has been, she commented that she “prays God her work will speak for her and tell her story.”
I was one of the lucky souls who have been blessed by the presence of Ms. Colleen Cassiday in my life and one of her qualities that I most admire is the fact that she feels as if she is the lucky one. Colleen admits that she let teaching take over her life. Everyone who is close to her knows and accepts that teaching is her highest priority. However, she does it with such love and joy that, rather than alienate others, as some work-a-holics tend to do, she pulls others in with her infectious enthusiasm and somehow leaves everyone feeling better just for knowing her. She also admits that she only let that happen because she enjoyed it so much and it was “a beautiful fit.” It worked for her. Another thing that worked for her was the location. Throughout her 33 years in Richmond Hill, she and Ken have had opportunities to relocate with Ken’s accounting job; however, Cass exclaims “I couldn’t fathom leaving Richmond Hill.” She feels that the community “has been wonderful” to her, and she loves it. Well, that street certainly runs both ways.
Talk about pizzazz, this woman exudes an air that life is a precious gift and that one should go at it full speed, proving to all around her that devotion, hope, and faith are contagious. Ms. Cass is an exemplary teacher, wife, daughter, friend, philanthropist, and woman. She made the comment, “I’m really very simple.” “True,” I thought, “simply extraordinary.”
Ms. Cass,
Thank you for all you have done, not only for the gifted education program in Bryan County as a whole, but also for the joy that you have brought into every life you have touched. Good luck in all of your future endeavors. You go, Girl!