Jason Pelham, who began his career in public education at Chattanooga Valley Middle School in 1994, returns to Walker County Schools this fall as principal at Chattanooga Valley Elementary. Pelham served as math instructor, wrestling coach and soccer coach during his first thirteen years in Walker County Schools before moving to Lakeview Middle as assistant principal and director of curriculum and instruction. As a math consultant, he also conducts Professional Learning Workshops for educators through the Northwest Georgia Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA).

Pelham earned a bachelor's degree in middle grades education at West Georgia College and a master's degree in education administration and supervision at Lincoln Memorial University. He is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. He was honored as Chattanooga Valley Middle School Distinguished Teacher of the Year and selected a finalist for Walker County Teacher of the Year in 2004.

"I am very excited about serving Chattanooga Valley Elementary as principal," said Pel-ham." CVE is truly a community school, and the community is very passionate about the quality of education being provided to its children."

According to Pelham, Chattanooga Valley Elementary will continue to be a school that puts children first, focusing on student achievement through engaging learning. "I have heard children say 'I hate math' or 'I hate science' but I have never heard a child say "I hate learning'," he said. "A school that can maintain its children’s enthusiasm for learning while fostering traits such as determination, perseverance and optimism is a school that will be successful."