Hartfield Academy Dedicates Outdoor Classroom to Honor Mrs. Betty Rhodes

This new space will serve as a place of growth and learning, mirroring Mrs. Rhodes' legacy. The dedication ceremony was not only a recognition of her exceptional career but also a testament to her passion for teaching and her love for Hartfield Academy. The Rhodes family was thanked for choosing this space to honor Mrs. Rhodes, who has been described as a special gift to the Hartfield community.

Mrs. Rhodes expressed her surprise and gratitude during the dedication, saying, "I was shocked and very surprised. I had no clue! My son told me that this had been in the works for about a year! The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family who knows my heart. My son said he had given up planning a retirement party for me, so he began planning something that would honor me and leave a legacy. I have taught for 55 years, and the Lord has blessed me with a passion for teaching. My son knows how much I love teaching, but he also knows how much I love Hartfield! He couldn't have done anything that would mean any more than this. It has given my life meaning and purpose because I believe a legacy leaves the places you work at, like Hartfield, and the people you touch, like my students and their parents, a lasting impact and how I will be remembered."

Mrs. Rhodes looks forward to the outdoor classroom being a place where students can gather to pray, praise the Lord, share creative writing, and read aloud. "For my son and family to take something that I am so passionate about and honor me in this way is a gift that will just keep on giving!" she added.

The outdoor classroom is a fitting tribute to a remarkable educator, ensuring that Mrs. Betty Rhodes' dedication to teaching and her love for her students will continue to inspire future generations at Hartfield Academy.