Finding Greatness: Tyler Sapp

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, April 26, 2021 12:00 AM
Category: Pressroom

Cochran, GA

At just 20 years of age, MGA senior education major Tyler Sapp is already working as a paid teacher at Bleckley County Elementary School through the “Interns as Teachers” program. He completes his bachelor’s degree this semester.

Full Name:  Tyler Sapp.

Age: 20.

Hometown & Residence: Cochran.

High School: “I graduated from Bleckley County High School in May of 2018, where I was an honor student. During my senior year, I was a part of the dual-enrollment program with Georgia Military College (GMC), where I completed 15 of my required college credit hours. I was a member of the one-act play club, Future Business Leaders of America, BETA, the yearbook committee, and the student council. I was especially active in FBLA, where I served as a local officer for three years and a region officer for two years. FBLA advisers and school administrators recognized me with the Royal Eagle Award for my service to the community. I also assisted the school’s athletic trainer for four years as a student athletic trainer.

“I am a transfer student from Georgia Military College, where I completed the requirements necessary to earn an associate’s degree in early childhood education. I graduated in July of 2019 with cum laude honors and as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. While at GMC, I was on the president’s or the dean’s list every quarter. I began at GMC as a full-time student in August of 2018.”

Family: Mother and stepfather, Leigh Ann and Barry Taylor; father and stepmother, Robert and Becky Sapp; brother Randy Sapp; and grandparents, Jan and (the late) Bobby Nelson. “My family has supported me throughout my college years. Without them, I would not be where I am at today.” 

Employment: “I am a fifth-grade math teacher intern at Bleckley County Elementary School in Cochran. I also work at Bleckley County’s afterschool ACE Club program, where I provide extra academic assistance in math, language arts, science, and social studies.” 

Degree Objective: Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Special Education.

Class Rank: Senior.

Primary Campus: Cochran.

Activities: Intern teacher candidate for the MGA Department of Teacher Education and Social Work. I was hired at Bleckley County Elementary School in January 2021.

Career Goals: “After receiving my bachelor’s degree, I will continue to teach fifth-grade math at Bleckley County Elementary School. In the future, I hope to return to Middle Georgia State University as an adjunct professor for the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work. I also hope to one day become an administrator for Bleckley County Schools.” 

He chose Middle Georgia State University because… “When I graduated high school, I knew that I wanted to teach in early childhood education and I wanted to start as soon as possible. I started at Georgia Military College (since I was already dual-enrolled there) and completed my core. Once I had completed my core requirements I transferred to Middle Georgia State University, where I knew I would finish my degree and become a teacher within two school years. MGA allowed me to obtain my bachelor’s degree at the age of 20 – debt free. I was also able to begin my career early by accepting a position as an intern teacher at Bleckley County Elementary School.” 

The greatest thing he discovered about Middle Georgia State was … “The support from professors is incredible. They are willing to do whatever it takes to see their students succeed and become strong educators.” 

His greatest academic experience as a Middle Georgia State student has been … “Having an honors project article published in the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ ‘Reflections’ journal. The article is titled, ‘Using Google Classroom to Teach Mathematics in Grades 3-5.’”

To him, greatness means … “The feeling you get when you set lofty goals, and you accomplish them by hard work and dedication.”

In five years … “I plan to have obtained my master’s and specialist’s degrees in education and be working on a doctorate while teaching at Bleckley County Elementary School. Earning these degrees will allow me to extend my knowledge in the field of education and allow me to better serve my students.”