“My name is Karol Key. I have been married to Brian Key for almost 29 years. We have two daughters, Evans Smith (Hunter) and Etta Phillips (Kytle), and one grandson, Bowen Smith, who is 8 months old. I started teaching in 1995 at Louisville Academy in Louisville, Georgia. I moved to Macon and taught for Bibb County until 2001 when we moved back home to Swainsboro, and I have been teaching Second Grade at Swainsboro Primary School ever since.”
Mrs. Key is completing her 30th year of teaching and has been serving as SPS Teacher of the Year for the 2025-26 school year. Her daddy encouraged her to take the path of becoming a teacher because he knew it would be a family friendly career and wanted her to follow in his sister’s footsteps.
“My husband and I have always enjoyed camping, working outside in our yard, and spending time with our wonderful family. As a family, we enjoy watching the Braves and the GA Bulldogs while grilling and cheering our favorite teams on. We also enjoy taking weekend rides on our ATVs. My newest favorite thing to do is to spend time with our grandson Bowen.” commented Mrs. Key.
“Swainsboro Primary has always been like one big family. My Second-Grade colleagues are the absolute best. We always take care of one another and have become wonderful friends. SPS is truly the Best!” Mrs. Key added.
What have you found most rewarding in your career?
Key: I love to build a love of reading. I have been reading a series of books called The Magic Tree House since I started teaching at SPS, having kids remember loving those books and my reading them has been very rewarding.
What advice would you like to give to new or upcoming educators?
Key: Teachers need to love their students and have high expectations of them. Consistency and routine are very important and will help make life as a teacher much easier.
How does it make you feel to see the success that many of your previous students have become (if you’ve been teaching for 12+ years)?
Key: Seeing my past students become successful adults is very rewarding. I feel so much pride in all of my past students.
If you could tell your past students or future students one thing that you hope will stick with them all throughout life, what would that be?
Key: My husband and I have always taught our daughters to be kind. I try to instill that in my students as well. I would tell them to continue being kind and to teach their own children to always just be kind!
