The Thaxton family includes five-year-old Tatum, from left, Amy, Wade and 16-month-old Ward. CONTRIBUTED

Why I Love This Town

MADISON – Wade Thaxton grew up playing baseball at Palmer Park and swimming for the Madison Dolphins.

Now a teacher, his students share about what they’re doing around town … playing ball at Palmer, swimming at Dublin or seeing ‘Friday night lights’ at football games. “Students are always amazed I did the exact same things when I was their age at the exact same places,” Thaxton said.

With nine years in Madison City Schools, Thaxton “designs learning opportunities that challenge students and brings out their special talents.” Currently, he teaches sixth-grade math at Mill Creek Elementary School and is an assistant coach for Bob Jones Swim Team.

“I take pride in saying I’m from Madison. Madison is the best city … perfect size, great people, great schools and a great hometown atmosphere,” Thaxton said. He enjoys walking in Kroger or Publix and seeing present and former students or athletes. “Madison is home … where my family and friends live.”

Until four years old, Thaxton lived in Auburn. Then, his family moved to Ft. Walton, Fla. for three years and settled in Madison in 1991 for his father’s aerospace engineering job with Dynetics. After graduating from Sparkman High School, Thaxton earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Auburn University in 2007.

His wife, Amy Thaxton, is Assistant Principal at Bob Jones High School. Their children are five-year-old Tatum and 16-month-old Ward.

In spare time, Wade volunteers at Inside-Out Ministries (IOM). “IOM is close to our hearts as my mother- and father-in-law, Deborah and Larry Ward, are the founders. We help any way we can, from volunteering at the community-wide Thanksgiving Dinner,” collecting shoes for third-world people to small jobs that “keep things running smoothly for daily volunteers and clients” at IOM.

He enjoys all types of music, but, “with the kids in the car, we mainly rock out to Disney soundtracks and ‘Veggie Tales.'”

La Placita is a favorite eatery, especially for the chicken fajita quesadilla. The Thaxtons devote many hours to Bob Jones events and “serving the Bob Jones family. Also, we’re members of CrossPointe Church,” he said.