Newton County Schools and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the 2024-2025 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 2025 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, September 10, and Wednesday, September 11, 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 17, 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 2025 Teacher of the Year during a special ceremony at Porter Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 4:45 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 2025 Newton County Teacher of the Year will receive a crystal award and check for $1,000 from the Chamber of Commerce. Newton County Schools will also provide a monetary award for each of the school system’s 23 Teachers of the Year. Newton County Schools’ 2025 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 2025 Teacher of the Year program: Abbey Hospice; Archer Aviation; AT&T; BD; Beaver Manufacturing; Newton County Board of Commissioners; Bridgestone; Center Parc Credit Union; City of Covington; Dualdeko; Edgar Law Firm; General Mills; Georgia United Credit Union; Ginn; Georgia Piedmont Technical College; High Priority Plumbing; Keenan Media; Longleaf Hospice; Main Street Land & Properties; Meta; Michelin; Newton College & Career Academy; Newton County Water & Sewer Authority; Newton County IDA; Newton Federal; Nisshinbo; Northside; Onyx MS Group, Oxford College; Piedmont Newton; Pinnacle Bank; SK Microworks; Rivian; Snapping Shoals EMC; SteelCo; Sunbelt Builders; Synovus; Takeda; The Center; The Covington News; Thomas & Hutton, Truist; and United Bank.
See below for a list of this year’s 2024-2025 School-Level Teachers of the Year:
2024-2025 Teachers of the Year
| SCHOOL |
|
TEACHER OF THE YEAR |
| East Newton Elementary |
|
Christina Hart-Spinks |
| Fairview Elementary |
|
Yolanda Canty |
| Flint Hill Elementary |
|
Wendy Shivers |
| Heard-Mixon Elementary |
|
Mary Jane Millwood |
| Live Oak Elementary |
|
Quisha Tooles |
| Livingston Elementary |
|
Mary Lynn Custer |
| Mansfield Elementary |
|
Michelle Green |
| Middle Ridge Elementary |
|
Amethyst Fort |
| Newton County STEAM Academy |
|
Wendi Carnes |
| Oak Hill Elementary |
|
Samora Howard |
| Porterdale Elementary |
|
Jennifer Lollar |
| Rocky Plains Elementary |
|
Shameka Howell |
| South Salem Elementary |
|
Heidi Grady |
| West Newton Elementary |
|
Ronee Jordan |
| Clements Middle |
|
Faith Parker |
| Cousins Middle |
|
Deborah Olabiyi |
| Indian Creek Middle |
|
Deatrice Willis |
| Liberty Middle |
|
Miranda McNeal |
| Veterans Memorial Middle |
|
Camihya Ray |
| Alcovy High |
|
Brian Coates |
| Eastside High |
|
Heather Wood |
| Newton High |
|
Kencovia Jean-Baptiste |
| Newton College & Career Academy |
|
Taylor Moody |
"Teachers are the cornerstone of our educational system, and their dedication to nurturing and inspiring our students is invaluable,” said Duke Bradley, III, Superintendent of Newton County Schools. “We are immensely proud of this year’s school-level Teachers of the Year for their exceptional commitment to education and their profound impact on our students' lives. Their passion and excellence exemplify what it means to be an educator in Newton County."
"Our teachers go above and beyond every day to create engaging and supportive learning environments for our students,” added Abigail Coggin, chair of the Newton County Board of Education. “The recognition of our school-level Teachers of the Year is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the positive difference they make in our community. We are grateful for their exceptional commitment to excellence in education.”
For more information on the Newton County School System Teacher of the Year program, contact Ms. Sherri Partee, Director of Public Relations for Newton County Schools at [email protected].
