Newton County Schools (NCS) is proud to announce Ms. Andrea Cummings, kindergarten paraprofessional at Rocky Plains Elementary School, as the district’s 2026 HERO of the Year. Cummings received the honor at the 2nd Annual HERO Awards Celebration held at the Porter Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
“It is just so humbling,” said Cummings after the ceremony. “I feel just so honored and loved and this has just been an amazing journey. So many people have rallied for me and pulled for me…I just feel so special.”
She added, “It means a lot that Newton County Schools would do something for the small village that we are. I feel that everybody on the stage feels it. They know that they are appreciated. We all feel very blessed to be a part of it.”
The HERO Awards program celebrates classified employees who go above and beyond to support the success and well-being of Newton County’s students. From classrooms to cafeterias, transportation to technology, these employees play a vital role in the daily operations of the school district.
“Andrea Cummings represents the kind of commitment and care we see across Newton County Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley. “Through her daily work supporting students and staff, she demonstrates the initiative, compassion, and professionalism that are essential to a strong school community. We are proud to recognize her as our 2026 HERO of the Year and to celebrate the impact she makes each day. We are also incredibly grateful to the Newton Education Foundation for their generous support of this year’s HERO Awards, which allows us to further honor Ms. Cummings with a $1,000 award and recognize each of our school and division HEROES with a monetary gift for their outstanding service.”
Ms. Cummings is known throughout Rocky Plains Elementary for her strong work ethic, positive attitude, and ability to connect with students and colleagues alike. She consistently goes above and beyond her role, supporting her classroom, encouraging her peers, and leading initiatives such as the Pink Ladies mentoring program, which provides guidance and support to young girls across multiple grade levels. Her dedication, empathy, and willingness to serve have made her a trusted and valued member of the school community.
The HERO Awards program reflects a Newton County Board of Education priority to recognize and celebrate the contributions of all employees across the district. Each school and division selected one classified employee to represent their team, and from this distinguished group, Ms. Cummings was chosen as the district-wide winner. She will also represent Newton County Schools in the 2026 Georgia RISE (Recognizing Inspirational School Employees) Awards.
“Recognizing the contributions of our classified staff through the HERO Awards is an important way to honor the individuals who keep our schools running each day,” said Board Chair Abigail Coggin. “Ms. Cummings represents the dedication, care, and professionalism we see across our district. We are proud to celebrate her and all of our HEROES for the meaningful impact they make in the lives of our students.”