Walker Sergent is Pierce County’s STAR student and he has selected Pierce County Middle School assistant principal Brandon Carlson as his STAR teacher.
Sergent scored 1,440 of a possible 1,600 score on the SAT. The STAR student is chosen annually based on academic excellence and attaining the highest SAT score among the senior class.
Sergent is the son of David and Celesta Sergent and has three younger sisters, Jasmine, Kayla and Emma.
Sergent is a member of and is a member of the Pierce County Swim Team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) leadership team. He is an active member of Central Baptist Church in Waycross.
Sergent plans to attend the Mercer University this fall and major in biology.
Carlson taught Sergent math in the seventh grade. Carlson has since been promoted to an assistant principal’s position at the school.
Sergent says he selected Carlson because of the impact he had on him in middle school.
“He was good at teaching math, but more than that, he set a good example for me. Like most middle schoolers, I was at a point in my life where I was trying to figure out who I was and who I wanted to be,” Sergent said. “Mr. Carlson, along with other people in my life, exemplified the traits that I want to have as I grow into adulthood. He is a loving father, faithful Christian, and cares about the students that he teaches and the community that he is a part of. While I have had many good teachers at my time in Pierce County, Mr. Carlson stands out as one that had a profound impact on me during a critical part in my development as a person.”
Carlson said he is humbled and honored by being selected as STAR teacher.
“Every so often, an educator has the privilege of teaching a student who not only excels academically but also demonstrates remarkable character.
So, when I was selected by Walker as STAR Teacher, I was truly honored,” said Carlson. “Pierce County is home to the finest educators in the state, and our mathematics teachers at PCMS and PCHS are second to none,” said Carlson “Knowing this, I am incredibly humbled that Walker chose me among so many outstanding teachers.”
Carlson pointed out he taught Sergent in the seventh grade, and this year’s senior class is the last group of students he taught before moving into administration.
“This senior class holds a special place in my heart, as it was the last class I taught before transitioning into administration,” said Carlson.
Carlson says Sergent has an “excellent work ethic”. “Walker approaches everything he does with dedication and excellence. I have never seen him take the easy way out or display anything less than a positive attitude when faced with challenges. His strong work ethic was evident even in seventh grade and it has continued to serve him well throughout his time at PCHS. His achievements in the classroom and on the swim team are a testament to the values and perseverance instilled in him by his parents. When I chose education as my pathway, my hope was to inspire and guide students, but the truth is, students like Walker have inspired me just as much.”
Carlson is homegrown having graduated from Pierce County High School.
Carlson taught seventh grade math at the middle school for 16 years, coached the tennis team there all 16 years and also coached a year of basketball. He also taught a half-year at Southeast Bulloch High School near Brooklet. He has been assistant principal at the middle school since 2020.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at Georgia Southern, his master’s at Valdosta State and recently completed his leadership degree at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. He and his wife, Katie, have three sons, Ethan, Aaden and Nathan. Mrs. Carlson teaches at Midway Elementary. The family is active at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
