Newton County Schools and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the 2025-2026 school level teachers of the year. These teachers will now participate in the county program with the winner serving as the Newton County School System’s 2026 Teacher of the Year.
Over the summer, each of the nominees worked on their district Teacher of the Year essay packet, which required each teacher to answer several questions about their educational background, teaching philosophy, and style of teaching. On Tuesday, August 26, and Wednesday, August 27, each teacher will participate in a 20-minute interview to be conducted by a panel of volunteer judges.
Once scores from the essays and interviews are tallied, three finalists will be determined (the teachers with the three highest combined scores). On Tuesday, September 3, the Teacher of the Year selection committee will observe each of the three finalists teaching in his or her classroom setting. The teacher with the highest combined score on the essay, interview, and observation, will be announced as Newton County School’s 2026 Teacher of the Year during a special ceremony at Porter Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
Newton County Schools would like to congratulate the school-level Teachers of the Year, as they are each worthy of this special honor. As such, all 23 Teachers of the Year will be recognized at the reception at Porter Performing Arts Center and presented with a commemorative plaque from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Each of the two runners-up will receive a crystal award from the Newton County Chamber of Commerce. The 2026 Newton County Teacher of the Year will receive a crystal award and check for $1,000 from the Chamber of Commerce. Longtime Teacher of the Year program supporter, Covington Ford, will also provide the winner with a free three-month car rental. Newton County Schools’ 2026 Teacher of the Year will represent the district in the Georgia Teacher of the Year program.
Newton County’s Teacher of the Year program would not be possible without the support of our community. As a result, Newton County Schools and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce would like to extend special thanks to the Chamber Champions, sponsors of the 2026 Teacher of the Year program: Abbey Hospice, APCU, Archer Aviation, AT&T, B.D., Beaver Manufacturing, Bridgestone, City of Covington, CL Williard, General Mills, Ginn, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, High Priority, Longleaf Hospice, Main Street Land & Properties, Meta, Michelin, Newton County Board of Commissioners, Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority, Newton Federal, Nisshinbo, Northside, Oxford College at Emory University, Piedmont Newton, Pinnacle Bank, Rivian, SBC Construction, SK Microworks, Snapping Shoals EMC, Sunbelt Builders, Synovus, Takeda, Thomas & Hutton, Truist, and United Bank.
“Great teaching changes lives,” said Dr. Duke Bradley III, Superintendent of Newton County Schools. “This year’s Teachers of the Year have demonstrated a level of skill, care, and leadership that elevates our entire school system. We celebrate each of them for the extraordinary role they play in preparing our students for success.”
“Each of these teachers represents the best of our schools,” said Abigail Coggin, Chair of the Newton County Board of Education. “They exemplify what it means to be a teacher in Newton County—committed, creative, and focused on making a lasting impact. We are proud to honor them for the difference they make in the lives of students and families every day.”
See below for a list of this year’s 2025-2026 School-Level Teachers of the Year:
2025-2026 School Level Teachers of the Year
| SCHOOOL |
|
TEACHER OF THE YEAR |
| East Newton Elementary |
|
Kili Nicholson |
| Fairview Elementary |
|
Laura Manley |
| Flint Hill Elementary |
|
Tiffany Wilkins |
| Heard-Mixon Elementary |
|
Margaret Allen |
| Live Oak Elementary |
|
Tiffany Reed |
| Livingston Elementary |
|
Laurie Gates |
| Mansfield Elementary |
|
Jennifer Cawthon |
| Middle Ridge Elementary |
|
Priyanka Chopra |
| Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
Beth Nolan |
| Oak Hill Elementary |
|
Stephanie Valdivia
|
| Porterdale Elementary |
|
Sabrina Pruitt |
| Rocky Plains Elementary |
|
Jesse Daniel |
| South Salem Elementary |
|
Olivia Adams |
| West Newton Elementary |
|
Makayla Newell |
| Clements Middle |
|
Charmine Mitchell-White |
| Cousins Middle |
|
Tereska Gholston |
| Indian Creek Middle |
|
Gregory W. Tanks |
| Liberty Middle |
|
Brittany Carr |
| Veterans Memorial Middle |
|
Kamara Whitening |
| Alcovy High |
|
Dr. Quinita Morrow |
| Eastside High |
|
Dr. Catrina Pollard |
| Newton High |
|
Serrita Carr |
| Newton College & Career Academy |
|
Allison Yeomans |