Christy Carter is Flowery Branch High School’s prime example of Southern charm. You can tell when she’s coming down the classroom halls by the sound of her high heels on the tile floor- and no one is ever sad to her coming.
Mrs. Carter is the Work Based Learning coordinator at “The Branch,” and has helped countless students pursue their passions through work and real-world experience.
Recently, we were fortunate to sit down with Mrs. Carter and ask her a few questions about her life in Hall County.
Question: What inspired or led you to your current career?
Answer:  “I was a work based learning student in high school, and after graduating high school I did 2,000 hours- so my junior and senior year of high school and then my freshman-sophomore year at UNG, I was in the same (Work-Based Learning) placement. So I learned a lot of employability skills, I learned how to work and communicate with people, and represent myself well. So then I transferred to (University of) Georgia, after getting my Associates degree, and then I did two years at (University of) Georgia, and my father got terminally ill. I had to move back home to help take care of him, and I didn’t finish college- so I had to get a job. Work-Based Learning helped me get a position in corporate- I worked for a non-profit for 6 ½-7 years doing event planning for adults with disabilities, and I feel that Work-Based Learning helped me do that.”
Q:  And then you became a Work-Based Learning Coordinator after that?
A: “Yes, after my father passed away I decided I was going to go back to get my teaching certification and help other students do what I did.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County and what do you love there?
A: “Well, I’m on the South Side of Hall County, and there’s wonderful things on the square, but I think closest to me would have to be Golden Buddha. That would have to be my favorite restaurant.”
Q: How long have you lived and worked in Hall County?
A: “I moved here when I was 6 years old, so 33 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “Probably Mr. Tommy Clack. He is a Vietnam Vet and lost three limbs in Vietnam, and he is an advocate for veterans and their insurance and the way we should respect them and what they do and how much they sacrifice for us. Just knowing him is pretty amazing.”
Q: If you were standing in front of a crowd of people, what advice would you give them?
A: “To be an encourager. (Could you elaborate on that?) It’s nice to be an encourager rather than a discourager, I think we have to leave the rest to God, because what’s going to happen is in his hands anyway, so I don’t think we can take it upon ourselves to do anything but encourage others. I think that’s what the world needs. I have three children, and everyday, when I drop them off at school I tell them to be an encourager, and to be a leader. Because if you’re not encouraging, you’re discouraging, and if you’re not being a leader, you’re being a follower.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Of course, to travel, but I don’t know if I have an actual bucket list.”
Q: What former local business makes you nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “Once again, I’m on the South end, so former local business would be the Best Buy on Atlanta Highway in Downtown Flowery Branch. It was a little grocery store- Ma and Pop grocery store- when I was growing up and we used to stop in there at least once a week on the way home from the ball field, something my mother needed and it was an easy stop rather than going into a big grocery store. It was just a really quaint little place, and I just really associate that with Flowery Branch.”
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “Probably the people; definitely the people. I feel like everyone knows everyone, I feel like it’s very safe. Although it’s growing, it continuing to be a small town.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: “Hopefully I’ll still be in education and I probably will still be in Work-Based Learning. I think this is my passion and I don’t think I’ll try to progress or admin or any type of leadership position. I feel like this is really where God is leading me to be, and hopefully I’ll be able to help five or 10 years worth of students.
Q: What’s something interesting about you that most people don’t know? Even your friends and family?
A: “My career dream was to be a sports commentator, that’s always what I wanted to do as a little girl.”
Q: What are three words or phrases that come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Roots and Wings.”
 
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.