George Real Estate Group Radio Broadcast

Hometown Hero: A Teacher’s Leap

• George Real Estate Group

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0:00 | 13:00

A second-year teacher almost finished a marketing degree before realizing her heart belonged in a third-grade classroom. We sit down with Hometown Hero Sarah Schwartz of Mills River Elementary to unpack the leap that changed everything, from the moment she chose service over certainty to the daily craft of guiding curious nine-year-olds through “beautiful chaos.” Her story carries forward into a statewide honor—how a nomination became a finalist spot, what the Greensboro convention entails, and why early-career recognition matters for teachers, students, and the community that stands behind them.

We also ground the hour in what’s happening across Henderson County real estate. Inventory remains tight, demand holds strong, and smart sellers are seizing the window before spring brings more competition. Our take is simple: life events drive moves more than the calendar, and the right guidance can make transitions feel calm instead of rushed. From postponed open houses during winter weather to practical ways to get ahead of the curve, we share what local families need now, not later.

Threading these stories together is a theme we live by: timing, transitions, and trust. You’ll hear how Mills River’s culture lifts teachers to do their best work, how third graders build confidence when structure and joy meet, and how aligned choices—at school or at home—create momentum. If you’ve ever wondered whether to pivot, sell, or simply start, this conversation offers clarity and courage in equal measure.

Subscribe for more local stories, share this episode with a teacher or neighbor who inspires you, and leave a review to help others find the show. Ready to talk about your next move or learn more about our community heroes? Call us at 828-393-0134 or visit realestatebygreg.com.

SPEAKER_02:

The George Real Estate Group Radio broadcast is celebrating ten years on WHKP. The George Real Estate Group is celebrating ten years on the radio live every Thursday morning at ten oh five on WHKP 107.7 FM and AM 1450, and streaming online at WHKP.com. Each Friday morning at 845, the George Real Estate Group presents the Hometown Hero Award to someone in our community who goes above and beyond to make our hometown a better place to live. Here's this week's Hometown Hero Show. It's 845, and that's always time on Friday mornings to do our George Real Estate Group Hometown Heroes Show. One that uh Noah George and I put a lot of effort into, and and uh we love doing it. Uh we really do. And I want uh Noah to join me by phone and say uh happy Friday, sir.

SPEAKER_01:

Well, happy Friday, and it is the highlight of my week, and Randy, it's always a privilege and honor for you and I to host the Hometown Heroes series.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, we always uh look forward to getting together on Fridays, and uh today we've got more and more people uh tuned in doing the weather thing. Yeah, we can do that. We've got the weather uh on everyone's mind. And uh you guys are still doing real estate, though, during no matter what kind of weather, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Well, year-round, and that's an interesting conversation right now, and and and again, it's a privilege for the George Real Estate Group uh to sponsor the Hometown Heroes series every Friday morning. And and again, congratulations to Sarah, which we'll introduce here in just a minute. Uh the the market is still moving, the inventory is still low, the demand is still strong, actually. I and I've been sharing Henderson County continues to see an 8% increase. Uh, we saw an 8% increase in the number of homes sold in 2025 versus 2024. And the fascinating thing is right now, people are like, oh, I'm gonna wait until the spring to put my house in the market. I mean, we're writing contracts, you know, throughout the entire month of January, people are still buying and selling even right now. And in fact, if you're wanting to sell then buy, it's a great chance to get ahead of the spring inventory when there's gonna be a lot more competition. But it's again, real estate is driven around life. It's, you know, life happens, therefore real estate happens. It's regardless of the time of year, it's regardless of the interest rates, it's regardless of the economy or the job market. You know, life happens, therefore real estate happens. And it's a privilege and honor to help our clients navigate through the home buying and selling process regardless of the time of year.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, Noah, get us uh in touch with you guys at the George Real Estate Group, and then I'll let you go on uh and I'll talk to Sarah. But uh tell us how to get in touch with you guys.

SPEAKER_01:

Absolutely. You can call us directly at 828-393-0134. You can find us online at realestatebygreg.com. You can follow us on social media. We had a number of open houses that we are gonna be doing this weekend, but like you mentioned, the weather, we're we're pivoting, we're gonna move them to the next weekend. So you can follow us on social media to see updated times for the open houses. And of course, uh, we podcast all of our radio shows. You can find us on your favorite podcast platform. But you know, just call us, stop by our office. We're in Flat Rock. We'd love to help. And and again, it's a it's uh we're grateful to sponsor the Hometown Hero series. And and again, congratulations to Sarah this week's Hometown Hero.

SPEAKER_02:

Thank you, Noah. Have a great week and be safe. Sarah Swartz, how are you doing?

SPEAKER_00:

I'm doing great. Thank you so much for having me this morning.

SPEAKER_02:

Thank you for coming in. I know uh life is a little hectic right now uh in everybody's world as we're getting ready for winter, but uh you took time out to come join us, and I want to talk with you about uh your recent selection as uh one of 27 finalists in the statewide beginning teacher of the year award. Congratulations.

SPEAKER_00:

Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_02:

I'm so tickled for you. Uh Beginning Teacher of the Year. Okay, let's take this home to uh the third grade at Mills River Elementary School.

SPEAKER_00:

It's my favorite place to be.

SPEAKER_02:

Is it really? It sure is. How long have you been doing that?

SPEAKER_00:

Uh, this is only my second year.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay, and oh, I see the enthusiasm. I really, really do. You uh you love it, I guess.

SPEAKER_00:

I do. I love it.

SPEAKER_02:

Well, uh, what made you decide to go into early education?

SPEAKER_00:

So I actually had no idea what I wanted to do growing up, and I entered the college the same way. Yeah. Went into college undecided, and when it came time everyone was choosing their majors, I kind of chose business. It was the default. Everyone was going into business, so I said, sure, I'll go into marketing. And I made it halfway through my junior year before I found that I didn't have any passion, I had no drive for what I wanted to do, and I didn't feel excited about the career I was pursuing. And I knew that I wanted to make a difference in other people's lives, and I wanted to be excited to go to work. So I knew I always loved kids and I could make a difference there and use the gifts that I have. And I took a leap of faith, switched to elementary education, and there has been no turning back. I know it's where I'm supposed to be.

SPEAKER_02:

Oh, Sarah, that's that's a great story. That really is because I've uh uh in this radio business world I've been in for the last 50-some years, there's so many young people come along my way wanting to get into the business. And I've been able to mentor a few, and and what I've always taught and tried to express to them was to do what you love to do. If it's not this, that's fine. Go find what you want to do and what you have a passion for. And then you never go to work. You don't have a job, it's it's a place you love to be. For sure. Well, tell us uh uh about being in a classroom with uh third graders. Uh twenty-five of them are there?

SPEAKER_00:

Sixteen. Sixteen? Okay. Yes. That's great. Just living the dream. Um it is chaos, but it's beautiful chaos. Is it really? I love it. Um, I think that third grade is really a sweet spot in their age and their development. They are just growing into these independent, autonomous young children, and their confidence grows a lot. They know how to be a student, they've learned their basic skills, and they're becoming more independent. It's beautiful. And lucky for me, they still think their teacher is cool when they're in third grade.

SPEAKER_02:

Yes, lucky for you. Uh, do you have a uh a teacher's aide with you?

SPEAKER_00:

I do not. So we have a floating tutor, Miss Smith, and she is wonderful. Oh, yeah. So she bounces around the third grade classrooms in the morning and helps us out. But we do not have our own assistants in third grade.

SPEAKER_02:

I gotcha. I gotcha. Well, uh, let's talk about this uh this uh NCAT Burroughs Welcome Fund Beginning Teacher of the Year Award. I'm sure that's a a sponsor we need to plug there. We always have to do that. Uh but this Teacher of the Year, Beginning Teacher of the Year Award, we've been able and lucky and blessed to have some other previous winners of that award here in our studios as Hometown Heroes. And uh is this uh something that you apply for or does it come your way?

SPEAKER_00:

So I initially was titled the Henderson County District Beginning Teacher of the Year.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay.

SPEAKER_00:

Now that I actually I didn't know the award existed until I was presented with it, which was really cool. I did not apply for it. I was nominated by my principal, Mr. Otten, and he reached out to a few people and received letters of recommendation and submitted those letters, and then they were evaluated, and I was selected for the district beginning teacher of the year.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay.

SPEAKER_00:

After I was selected for district, I had the opportunity to apply for a regional finalist. And so I acquired some more uh letters of recommendation and I filled out an application, and then I received an email that I was selected as a finalist.

SPEAKER_02:

Fantastic. Well, uh where does it go from here? What's the next level? What's the next one?

SPEAKER_00:

Yes, so the next level is a convention in Greensboro. All 27 of us will be there for five days of professional development and some interviews while our portfolios are looked over, and then at the end of the week they will announce the North Carolina State beginning teacher of the year and the runner-up.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay. Is there uh uh is there scholarship or prize money or some kind of reward there that goes to the school or the students?

SPEAKER_00:

There is. The winner receives$5,000, and I believe the runner-up receives half that amount.

SPEAKER_02:

Fantastic. It is fantastic. Fantastic. All right. Okay, well, tell us about uh Mills River Elementary School. Uh that school is a special place, huh?

SPEAKER_00:

It sure is. Um, our slogan is the place to be, and I really do believe it's true. Um I just come in there every day and I'm excited to be there. I really am, and I think that most of the people there are, and there's just this positivity that spreads among the staff and the students, and it's really special. We have an amazing administration with Mr. Otten and Miss Fletcher, and I could not be more grateful for the team of third grade teachers that I teach alongside. They are wonderful.

SPEAKER_02:

Wow. I can tell you you've got a you're at the place you need to be. You really, really are. Well, uh, you know, your second year. Uh where's the future? What's the future? I mean, you you're you're home where you are now, and and uh uh you just want to stay there doing what you're doing.

SPEAKER_00:

I absolutely do, yes, sir.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay. Well, we're so excited to uh honor you as one of the finalists, and we want to keep up with uh how this thing works out. When did you say? It'll be in March. March, okay, real soon. Call us and let us know how that comes uh how that comes out. I'm I'm anxious to know.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay, I will.

SPEAKER_02:

And I want you to be safe during the uh upcoming winter storm that uh we've got coming. You could be missing your kids for a few days next week, and I know you're not looking forward to that. I have a certificate here for you, and it just says that we congratulate you on being our hometown hero. And I've also got some certificates, some uh free lunches around town. So on us. Have a love.

SPEAKER_00:

That's awesome. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_02:

Sarah, thank you so much. Sarah Swartz is our George Real Estate Group hometown hero this week. And you can join us next Friday as we uh celebrate another. Thank you for having me. Thank you. Bye-bye. The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat Rock, North Carolina, near Hendersonville in Henderson County. You can find them online at realestatebygreg.com. The George Real Estate Group can be reached at 828-3930134 or stop by their office at 2720 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, North Carolina. Tune in live each week on Thursdays at 1005 AM on WHKP 107.7 FM and 1450 A.M. or stream online at WHKP.com or download these podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. The George Real Estate Group brings you the WHKP Hometown Hero Series every Friday morning at 845.

SPEAKER_01:

Maybe the house feels a little too big these days. The stairs a little steeper. The pace of life a little too fast. But what if your next move wasn't about letting go? It was about making space for peace, for freedom, for what matters most. At the George Real Estate Group, we understand that real estate isn't just about the house. It's about transitions, timing, and trust. We've helped thousands of families in Western North Carolina make smart, thoughtful moves. Closer to nature, closer to family, closer to home. So when you're ready to right-size, simplify, or start fresh, we'll be here. The George Real Estate Group. Local, trusted, proven. Call us today, 828-393-0134. Find us online at realestatebygreg.com because your next chapter deserves to feel just right.