Dr. Stephen Hammock Appointed Principal of Newton High School
The Newton County School System is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Stephen Hammock as the next principal of Newton High School. The Newton County Board of Education approved his appointment during its regularly scheduled meeting on April 22, 2025.
Dr. Hammock began his career in 2012 as a social studies teacher in Clayton County Schools before joining the Thomaston-Upson County School District, where he taught both social studies and special education through 2015. He then moved to Gulf Shores City Schools in Alabama, where he taught special education until 2020. In 2021, he transitioned into school administration as an assistant principal with the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Most recently, he has served as assistant principal at Stockbridge High School in Henry County Schools.
Dr. Hammock holds an Associate of Arts in Secondary Teacher Education from Gordon State College and a Master of Science in Sport Management from Georgia Southern University. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education, a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Curriculum and Leadership from Columbus State University.
When asked what attracted him to the principal position at Newton High School, Dr. Hammock said, “The culture, tradition, and pride at Newton High School speaks for itself. You can hear it in people's voices and see it on their faces when they talk about what Newton High School means to them and in the community. From academics, to athletics, to fine arts, to extracurriculars, Newton High School is outstanding. Newton High School is the type of place that people don't leave, and those that do typically come back. I am eager to bring value in my role, have a positive influence, get to know people, and be a part of their story.”
Upon assuming his new role, Dr. Hammock is focused on listening and learning. “I want to meet students, parents/guardians, teachers, staff, and community members. I want to know what's important to them and better understand their perspective. I want to understand what our instructional priorities are and how we can make adjustments or sustain effective practices to ensure positive student outcomes. Most importantly, I will make an intentional effort to introduce myself and listen to our stakeholders to learn more about Newton High, our community, and how I can best leverage my role to support.”
Grateful for the opportunity to lead the Rams, Dr. Hammock added, “I want to thank Superintendent Bradley and the Board of Education for the honor to serve as the next principal of Newton High School. I look forward to getting to work and collaborating with our school community to continue the momentum, enrich our educational environment, and provide an experience that one can only have at Newton High School.”