I was born and raised in South Florida by 2 amazing parents, Jim and Alethea Hickman. I am the middle child of 5. I have 2 older half brothers and a younger brother and sister. We all played lots of sports growing up, but I spent most of my time dancing. I danced for 24 years until I moved to GA. I met my husband, Jay in 2000 through mutual friends. We ended up continuing our college education and graduating from Florida Atlantic University together, where I received my Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. We got married in 2002 but waited a few years to start a family. We, by chance, moved to Buford in 2005. We moved here not knowing anyone or anything. We had no family or friends here with us at the time. We knew we wanted to raise our children somewhere different than where we grew up and ended up getting lucky by landing in Buford. In 2006 we had our first child and continued having them pretty close together after that. We always knew we wanted a big family. As a little girl I always dreamed I’d have 4 kids. Shortly after moving to Buford we made a lot of friends who became our family. It only took 17 years but we did eventually get both sets of our parents to join us in Buford. My sister also moved to Buford from South Florida in the summer of 2020.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My husband Jay works for UPS Healthcare and has been with them for 16 years. We have 4 kids, Austin -16, Brody -14, Madison -13 and Maci -11. All of our kids are very active in sports. Austin has played football in Buford since he was 6 years old and now plays for BHS. He has also played lacrosse since Buford started their program in 2014 and now plays lacrosse at BHS as well. Brody is all baseball. He started playing baseball for the GBAA when he was 4 years old. He currently plays year round for the East Cobb Astros and is looking forward to playing at BHS next year. Both Madison and Maci have played softball for GBAA since they were 5 and 7. They are currently on the GBAA 12U Buford Fastpitch Travel team. Madison also loves to cheer and Cheers for Buford’s GFL program. I also serve as the Softball Assistant Commissioner for the GBAA. I have been on the board for 5 years. I enjoy doing my part and giving back to the program that my kids have been a part of for many years.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Before moving to Georgia, In Florida, I taught 3rd grade. Once moving to Georgia I stayed home for 6 years while having kids. I eventually went back to work where all of our kids went to preschool, the Sugar Hill Church Weekday Preschool and taught Pre-K for 5 years. I knew I one day wanted to get back into the classroom but wasn’t ready to work full time yet with the kids still being young. I started subbing for BCSS in 2018 and did so for 4 years before joining them this year as a 3rd grade teacher. I love the kids and staff and loved being here. I knew this was the place for me.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Some of our favorite spots are Bare Bones, Rico’s and of course Bravo Mexican is a family favorite. When there is no time to cook on a busy night we always end up at Bravo.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived in Buford 18 years now and have been a part of BCSS since 2012 when our oldest started kindergarten.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I have met a lot of interesting people over the years in Buford. Some of them are Buford lifetimers and some are new. I enjoy spending time with and talking to the lifetimers. They are always so proud of their community and history. They have such a love for how their community has grown to be what it is today.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
If I could travel anywhere right now I would probably choose Greece or Italy. I also love warm weather so at any time I would pack my bag and head to the tropics.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I actually do not watch much TV. Our busy schedule does not leave much time for watching TV. I rarely sit on the couch unless it’s the end of the day and I’m about to fall asleep. If I had to pick something, I spend the most time watching Football in the Fall and baseball in the Spring/Summer.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Love, respect and be proud of who you are and what you have. In a split second your life can be turned upside down. Always focus on the positive.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I don’t really have a bucket list. I just want to travel when the kids are grown.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I’m listening to Highway on Sirius XM radio all the time!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Our small town feel and sense of community.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Once all of our kids graduate we plan to move to the lake and start making retirement plans.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Any month that is warm is my favorite! I really enjoy all holidays, big and small. Any holiday that gives me time with family to make memories is my favorite
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The teachers at BCSS!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kids 100% inspire me to do better and be better. I just want to be a mom they are proud of.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My absolute favorite smell, that I miss the most, is the smell when I walked into our family bakery that my parents owned for most of my childhood. My current favorite smells are my mom’s cooking and my house when it’s just been cleaned.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Community and Friends you choose to be your family.
