ROSSVILLE, Ga. (March 05, 2026) — For Marie Noles Hunter, teaching was never just a job. It was a calling that shaped more than three decades of her life and continues to inspire her even today.
Hunter, now 84, is a resident at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley Assisted Living, where she moved in July 2024. Born in Fort Payne, Alabama, she went on to graduate from the University of Chattanooga in 1962 and again in 1964. Over the course of more than 30 years, she taught school and worked in social work in Georgia, dedicating her life to helping young people learn, grow, and discover their potential.
Her path into education began with a teacher of her own.
“I decided to become a teacher because of my third-grade teacher,” Hunter said. “She had a great influence on me.”
Throughout her career, Hunter said her favorite part of teaching was the daily interaction with students and helping them explore their creativity.
“I loved interacting with the students and pulling out their creativity,” she said.
Like many longtime educators, she collected plenty of memorable classroom moments along the way. One lighthearted memory still makes her smile.
“When students would come up and tell me they were sick, I would say, ‘Okay, remind me at recess so you can sit out,’” Hunter recalled. “And they were magically healed.”
For Hunter, the most important lesson teachers pass on goes far beyond the classroom. Is that they learn that are responsible for their own learning, which will affect their future, she said.
Even in retirement, Hunter’s love for teaching continues. She still enjoys reading to children and interacting with young students whenever she can.
Hunter has visited Rossville Elementary School, Chattanooga Valley Elementary School, and the Rossville Library to read books to children. When she reads, she keeps students engaged by asking them questions about the story along the way.
“She loves interacting with the children,” said Jacqueline Cameron, Life Enrichment Director at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley. “It reminds her of the years she spent in the classroom and brings her a lot of joy.”
For young educators beginning their careers, Hunter offers simple but meaningful advice.
“Locate a good mentor to assist you,” she said.
Hunter believes education plays a vital role in strengthening communities.
Today at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley Assisted Living, Hunter continues to enjoy reading, crafting, and spending time with others while sharing stories from her years in the classroom. Her lifelong passion for education serves as a reminder that the influence of a great teacher can last for generations.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities in five southeastern states, including AL, GA, IN, KY & TN. For more information, visit morningpointe.com.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
