Hello! My name is Chassity Gandy, and I am excited to begin my first year as a first-grade teacher. I graduated from Valdosta State University with my bachelor's degree in Education and am currently pursuing my master's degree there. Before beginning my teaching career, I completed my student teaching and worked as a full-time substitute teacher in first grade at Westside Elementary School, where I gained valuable classroom experience and built meaningful relationships with my students.

Outside of the classroom, I recently stepped away from coaching cheerleading and now help manage the cheer facility. During my coaching career, my teams earned numerous awards and national titles while creating countless memories and opportunities for growth. I am also a proud Lowndes County Schools alumni. Growing up in this school system shaped who I am today, and I spent much of my childhood cheering both on the sidelines and competitively. In 2021, my team competed at the Cheerleading Worlds Championship and placed in the Top 10. That experience inspired me to give back to the community and school system that invested so much in me, leading me to become both a cheer coach and now an educator.

When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, and playing with my two Labrador Retrievers, Cais and Boone. I am also excited to be getting married this October which means after fall break I will return as Mrs. Dowdy! My fiancé, Garrett and I are huge Georgia Bulldogs fans, so you'll definitely find us cheering on the Dawgs—especially during the Georgia vs. Alabama game (on our wedding day)!

My goal this school year is to build strong relationships with both you and your child. I have worked with children for the past six years, and I truly love watching them learn, grow, and become confident individuals. I look forward to creating a fun, engaging, and supportive classroom where every student feels valued, encouraged, and excited to learn.

Let's have an awesome year!