Newton County Schools is one step closer to naming its next district Teacher of the Year.
After an extensive selection process that included written essays and individual interviews, three outstanding educators have advanced as finalists for the 2027 Newton County Teacher of the Year award: Ms. Alexandra Allen of East Newton Elementary School, Ms. Michelle Cole of Flint Hill Elementary School, and Mr. Johnny Edwards of Newton High School.
The finalists were selected from Newton County Schools’ 23 school-level Teachers of the Year. A panel of judges first reviewed essays submitted by each candidate before spending two days interviewing all 23 educators. Scores from the essays and interviews were combined, with the three highest-scoring candidates advancing to the final round of competition.
On Friday, September 4, Newton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III, Board of Education Chair Trey Bailey, District 5 Board Member Abigail Coggin, and several district leaders traveled to each finalist’s school to deliver the news in person. Armed with flowers and balloons, the group surprised each teacher in front of students and colleagues, with family members also joining the celebrations.
The surprises marked an exciting milestone in the selection process, but one important step remains.
On Wednesday, September 9, the Teacher of the Year selection committee will visit each finalist’s classroom to observe them in action with their students. Scores from the classroom observations will be combined with each candidate’s essay and interview scores to determine the 2027 Newton County Teacher of the Year.
The winner will be revealed during the Newton County Schools Teacher of the Year Celebration on Wednesday, September 23, at Porter Performing Arts Center.
Meet the 2027 Teacher of the Year Finalists
In alphabetical order:
Ms. Alexandra Allen — East Newton Elementary School
Ms. Alexandra Allen has spent her entire teaching career with Newton County Schools. She began her career at South Salem Elementary School in 2016 before transferring to East Newton Elementary School in 2021. Currently a fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Allen has taught multiple grade levels throughout her career.
Ms. Allen earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College & State University in 2016 and her master’s degree in Reading and Early Literacy from Walden University in 2018. In 2024, she earned an Education Specialist degree in Advanced Educational Studies from Augusta University. She also holds endorsements in reading and gifted education.
Allen shared her thoughts on the surprise announcement.
“It’s so incredible. There are so many incredible teachers here,” she said. “There’s so many great things happening in Newton County School System. I feel so honored and so deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity to help spread my work and encourage other teachers and just do what I love best everyday which is the kids.”
Ms. Michelle Cole — Flint Hill Elementary School
Ms. Michelle Cole began her teaching career in Alabama in 1993 before joining Newton County Schools in 1996. During her career, she has taught all core subject areas and served students at multiple schools throughout the district. She has been a member of the Flint Hill Elementary School faculty since 2011.
Ms. Cole earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1992 and a Master of Science in Education with a focus on Reading and Mathematics from Walden University in 2007. She also holds gifted certification.
Ms. Cole shared her thoughts on being named a finalist for district Teacher of the Year.
“I’m overwhelmed and excited,” she said. “I hope that if I’m honored enough to be Teacher of the Year for Newton County that I would be able to represent everybody well and let everyone know that as I said in my interview, if teachers can do what they love and love what they do then it’s not a job anymore.”
Mr. Johnny Edwards — Newton High School
Mr. Johnny Edwards has served as choral director at Newton High School since 2015 and also teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory. Prior to joining Newton County Schools, he taught in the Bryan County School System and DeKalb County School District.
Mr. Edwards earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Armstrong Atlantic in 1997 and his master's degree from Georgia College and State University in 2014. Throughout his career, he has taught chorus, general music, and AP Music Theory.
“This is more than I could have ever expected,” said Edwards. “To be nominated as one of the top three teachers in a county with a great school system that first support the arts and supports teachers—I’m just speechless.”
Board of Education Chair, Trey Bailey congratulated the finalists and emphasized the important role teachers play in the success of Newton County Schools.
“Each of these finalists represents the excellence we see in classrooms throughout Newton County Schools every day,” Bailey said. “Ms. Allen, Ms. Cole, and Mr. Edwards have each demonstrated a commitment to helping students learn, grow, and reach their potential. On behalf of the Board of Education, I congratulate them on this tremendous honor and thank them for the difference they make in the lives of our students. We look forward to celebrating them, along with all 23 of our school-level Teachers of the Year, later this month.”
Newton County’s Teacher of the Year program is made possible through the support of the local community. Newton County Schools and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce extend special thanks to the Chamber Champions, sponsors of the 2027 Teacher of the Year program: Abbey Hospice, APCU, Archer Aviation, AT&T, B.D., Beaver Manufacturing, Bridgestone, City of Covington, Dual Deko, Edgar Law Firm, General Mills, Georgia Power, Ginn, GPTC, High Priority, Keenan Media, Longleaf Hospice, Main Street Land & Properties, Meta, Michelin, Microworks America, Newton County Board of Commissioners, Newton College & Career Academy, Newton County Industrial Development Authority, Newton County Water and Sewerage Authority, Nisshinbo, Northside, OHCO, Onyx MS, Oxford College of Emory, Piedmont Newton, Rivian, SCB Construction, Snapping Shoals, Sunbelt Builders, Synovus, Takeda, Thomas & Hutton, Truist, United Bank, and Vallant Bank.
For more information about the Newton County Schools Teacher of the Year program, contact Sherri Partee, Executive Director of Communications for Newton County Schools, at
[email protected].