Windham Named January Super Star Teacher
mrandolphadvance@gmail.com
Vidalia High School English Teacher and Yearbook Advisor Melonie Windham was the first teacher to be recognized as the Greater Vidalia Chamber Super Star Teacher in 2026.
The Super Star Teacher award is an initiative the Chamber began in 2024 to honor the extraordinary teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty, and ultimately, impact lives. The program is overseen by Chamber Director of Operations Amber O’Connor, who spoke on the opportunity.
“The Chamber is excited to be able to offer this program to our community! We couldn’t think of a more deserving group of professionals in our workplace to be recognized for their dedication to students and their community,” she remarked. “A Super Star Teacher demonstrates excellence in leadership in their classroom along with motivation for their students. They show a high level of commitment to not only their students but their community.”
The Chamber collects nominations for the award every month, then nominations are reviewed by monthly sponsors to select a winner, who is presented with the award and prizes during the school day.
Recently, Greater Vidalia Chamber representatives, program sponsors, Vidalia High School administrators, and fellow educators surprised Windham with the award.
Windham was nominated five times in January, as the anonymous nominators championed her excellence in the classroom, which had made a lasting impact on several. These nominations stated: “Mrs. Windham always goes above and beyond in the classroom-making a lasting impact even 10 years later. Her students love her, she is fair, and she even taught some to love reading.”
“Mrs. Windham has always been flexible with her students, adapting herself and her curriculum to them instead of forcing them into a mold they do not fit into to cover standards.”
“She’s always been a super star teacher since she taught me back in 20132014. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been prepared for college and beyond!”
“Mrs. Windham, better known as Goody (or ‘Goodz Melonie Starr Windham’ to some), has inspired a lifelong love of reading in so many. Even almost 12 years later, I still remember some of the books we read and activities we did in her class. Working with her on our yearbook that she still does today was one of my favorite high school memories! I’m so glad we have teachers like Mrs. Windham who love their subject and love their students. And yes, I will finally admit she is right… The book is always better than the movie!”
“Mrs. Windham taught me in AP Literature 11 years ago during my senior year, and she still has a profound impact on my life. She fostered a positive learning environment that allowed me to be comfortable with being my true self. She helped reignite my love of reading and transformed the way I viewed literature. The way she taught her lessons helped create a sense of community in our class and developed friendships that lasted beyond high school graduation. Some of my best memories were made in her classroom. For graduation, she wrote a poem specifically for our class and all the memories we made in her class throughout our senior year. Mrs. Windham is a super star teacher because of the way she connects with her students through her subject area. Her influence in my life will last a lifetime.”
These nominations were shared during the award presentation, as presenters celebrated Windham for her work.
Nominations for the February Super Star Teacher award have closed. The recipient of the award will be shared in coming weeks.
