LaGRANGE — A longtime Troup High School teacher has announced her intent to seek the District 5 Board of Education seat.

Cathy Wright Hunt, formerly Cathy Sargent, taught English and drama at THS since she graduated from LaGrange College in 1981 until her retirement in 2010. During her time at the school, she served as English department chair and on the school improvement team, was Troup County teacher of the year in 2003 and “did a great deal of curriculum planning for the school system over the years,” she said in a press release.

She is currently a part-time office manager at Loyd Presbyterian Church and adjunct instructor of freshman English at Point University in West Point.

“I am passionate about advocating for public education and have maintained an interest in the local schools since my retirement,” Hunt said in a written statement. “As a longtime educator in Troup County, I believe I will bring a unique perspective to the school board. My desire is to ensure quality and equitable opportunities for our young people.”

She said her biggest concern is “the exodus of teachers from our schools.” The career is becoming too stressful with few rewards, she said, adding, “I believe that the respect and value that should be afforded teachers directly correlate with student achievement.”

“Additionally, I am against excessive testing and will work to remove any standardized testing from our local schools that is not mandated by the state or federal government,” Hunt said. “Troup County was the setting for my entire teaching career. I loved being a teacher, loved my colleagues and loved my students. My children attended Mountville, Cannon Street, Callaway Middle and Troup High schools, and received quality educations. I want to see Troup County schools thrive.”

She is married to Ron Hunt, an art teacher at Heard County High School. Cathy Hunt has two daughters: Diana, 28, a graduate of the University of Georgia, now a paralegal in Boston for an international law firm; and Jenna, 25, a graduate of the University of West Georgia and now a stage manager intern at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. They are both THS graduates.

Cathy Hunt is a member of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, where she sings in the choir, serves as lector and has served on the vestry. She also is active in local theater productions.