Meet the Office: The Starring Ladies

The spotlight is shining on Mrs. Pressley, Mrs. Truluck, and Mrs. Pope for managing the front office, organizing information, and ensuring a safe and supported environment for students and staff within the building.
by Rylee Watson

The spotlight is shining on Mrs. Pressley, Mrs. Truluck, and Mrs. Pope for managing the front office, organizing information, and ensuring a safe and supported environment for students and staff within the building.

Several of WGHS’s office members never thought they would be such a good match for working in the school environment, but many of them contribute to the reason our halls run so smoothly. Both Mrs. Pressley and Mrs. Pope started out in other fields, like education and dentistry, but both ladies were drawn to WGHS for the supportive community. After Mrs. Pope graduated from Monroe Area High School, she spent 15 years in the dentistry program at Gwinnett Technical College. “I had no plans to work in a school. I was working in dentistry and grew tired of that and decided to try something different,” Pope shared.

What initially pulled Mrs. Pope to Walnut Grove High School was a substitute teacher position. Pope shared, “I decided I wanted to be part of a school community where I could support students, staff, and families while helping the front office run smoothly.” Mrs. Pope’s duties include maintaining accurate student attendance records, processing absence notes, communicating with parents regarding attendance issues, and assisting with front office duties such as greeting visitors, answering phones, and supporting staff and students.

Mrs. Pressley is the welcoming face of Walnut Grove High School. When she isn’t greeting students or answering phone calls, she is a helping hand for administrators and other staff members. Pressley first came to WGHS as a parapro; she explains, “I’ve always loved roles where I can connect with people. I worked as a receptionist in a dental office in high school, but this year I started at WGHS as a paraprofessional. I was so excited to move into this front office position so soon, and I love being able to support students and families and help make their day a little brighter.”

Pressley’s daily goal is to make a positive impact on students and parents coming into the building. “I work to create a welcoming, positive atmosphere in the front office where students and parents immediately feel comfortable and supported. I truly enjoy building connections with our students and being a kind, dependable presence they know they can turn to for help, reassurance, or even just a friendly smile,” Pressley shared. Mrs. Pressley was inspired by the welcoming environment WGHS brought: “I was drawn to WG because I genuinely love our community and our schools. As a parent, I’ve experienced firsthand how meaningful positive interactions and a welcoming environment can be, and that inspired me to be part of the team that helps create that same sense of connection and support for other students and families.”

Throughout the day, Mrs. Truluck handles substitute teachers and coverage, keeps up with FTE counts, fills the activity calendar, and assists parents and students with any needs that may come up. As Mrs. Truluck made the transition to Walton County, she knew she wanted to work in the community where she lived. “This is my 20th year working in a public school. I started out in an elementary school and decided I was ready for a change. I do enjoy the high school setting,” Truluck shared.
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Her family has been a big inspiration for transitioning from elementary education to high school to keep up with data. She shares that her three daughters are all teachers in a neighboring county. “Our youngest gets married in May, and we have our first grandbaby on the way in July by our middle daughter and her husband.”
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The front office is filled with several dedicated staff members, like Mrs. Pressley, Mrs. Truluck, and Mrs. Pope, that keep our school running efficiently. WGHS is deeply appreciative of everything they do to support the students and staff of Walnut Grove.