Bibb County Teacher of the Year didn’t expect an ‘awesome gift.’ Take a look at what she won

One deserving educator in Macon is driving away with a sleek, new ride — at least for a year.

The Bibb County School District, in collaboration with Grand Infiniti of Macon, presented Teacher of the Year Sarah Mallett with a one-year lease on a 2024 QX60 Infiniti at Howard Middle School’s pep rally on Sept. 13.

Mallett said she never saw the four-wheeled gift coming.

“I remember standing there thinking to myself this is an AWESOME gift for an amazing teacher out there, and the second they called my name it really took me a minute to realize it was me,” she said in an email.

Chris Williams is the new general manager of Grand Infiniti. He officially handed off the car to Mallett on Saturday during the dealership’s grand re-opening , which featured free food, live entertainment, exploration of the dealership’s luxurious showroom and more.

Williams, who overcame homelessness and now hopes to inspire others, said he chose to give back to Bibb County Schools because he feels community involvement should be prioritized in education.

“I always had the dream of blessing people as God continued to bless me,” Williams said after mentioning that one of the first initiatives for Grand Infiniti of Macon was to support the local school district. “I think a lot of times people complain about our school systems … and testing scores, but in reality it takes a village to raise a kid.”

Mallett said she’s excited about driving the new car, which has more advanced safety features than her current car.

But most importantly, she said she’s beyond thankful for being chosen.

“To work in a district who partners with our community members, and to have community members who also want to help celebrate teachers, is such an amazing feeling,” Mallett said.

The partnership between the school district and the dealership may continue based on how this first car giveaway goes, Williams said.

“I’m hoping that this adds to the level of prestige that comes with the position of Teacher of the Year,” he said. “I’m hoping that this makes everybody motivate themselves to push even harder for the kids.”

Grand Infiniti of Macon also looks forward to supporting the school district through scholarship opportunities and career days, Williams added.

Mallett said she will strive every day to focus on being a role model for the county’s young scholars.

“My commitment to the students here in Macon and their education remains stronger than ever,” she said. “I aim to continue making a lasting impact on students lives, and ensuring their education is meaningful, engaging, and transformative.”

Mallett was named the 2024-2025 Bibb County School District teacher of the year at the district’s 2024-2025 convocation in early July. She teaches Audio, Video, Technology and Film at Howard Middle School, and she has been a Bibb County educator since 2021.