Magnolia Middle School Selects Kaitlyn Mahaffey-McGee as 2024 Teacher of the Year
Kaitlyn Mahaffey-McGee is currently in her seventh year of teaching. She is the Director of Choral Activities at Magnolia Middle School and Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Magnolia High School. With over 200 students enrolled in her program, Kaitlyn has the largest student organization on the middle school campus. Her dedication and passionate nature combined with the numerous opportunities she provides for her students led her to receive the honor of being named Region 3 Middle School Director of the Year in 2023.
She graduated cum laude from Henderson State University in 2015 with her bachelor’s degree in music education. During her time at Henderson, she was active in multiple choirs, opera, and held leadership roles in the music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota. Kaitlyn was awarded the Sword of Honor for her musical service and dedication from Sigma Alpha Iota in 2015.
Kaitlyn graduated from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with a master’s degree in educational theory and practice in 2019.
In her years of teaching, her choirs have received consistent Superior ratings in regional Choral Performance Assessments, and her students occupy the top spots in the All-Region Honor choirs. Kaitlyn’s students are consistently in the top percentile of having the greatest number earn placement in the All-Region Honor Choirs. She also helps students prepare for Solo and Ensemble competitions, where they earn Superior ratings as well. At this year’s Choral Performance Assessment, both Prima Bella and IV (G.E.N.T.) were the highest scoring Middle School/Junior High groups at the competition. At Solo and Ensemble, Magnolia had the most Superior Ratings of any group that attended the event. In Fall of 2024, Kaitlyn will serve as an All-Region Honor Choir Clinician for Region 3’s Junior High Treble Chorus.
Kaitlyn is an active member of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association. She holds the position of ArkCDA Event Coordinator for Junior High All-Region Honor Choir Auditions and Clinic. She manages Region 3-East Auditions, All-Region Clinic, and serves as Clinic Host for this prestigious competition that features over thirty participating schools and programs.
Her choirs are highly active in the Magnolia community. They have performed for the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, frequently perform at the Arkansas State Capitol, and have a high involvement in community and school happenings.
She will also aid in the endeavors of the Magnolia High School Choral program by presenting vocal demonstrations, fulfilling chaperone duties, and providing extra aural support when requested.
In March of 2024, Kaitlyn was awarded the prestigious honor of being named Magnolia Middle School Teacher of the Year for her outstanding dedication to her students and her profession.
Kaitlyn currently resides in Magnolia, Arkansas with her husband and five pets. She enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. She lives by the saying “every day is an adventure” and strives to be the best educator she can possibly be for her students.