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NCSS announces 2018-19 school-level teachers of the year
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COVINGTON, Ga. - The Newton County School System and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the 2018-19 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 2019 Teacher of the Year.

Over the summer, each of the nominees worked on the district Teacher of the Year essay packet, which required each teacher to answer a number of questions concerning their educational background, philosophy, and style of teaching. On Tuesday, Sept. 18, and Wednesday, Sept. 19, each teacher will participate in a 20-minute interview to be conducted by a panel of volunteer judges representing Newton County Schools, the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses and civic organizations.

Once scores from the essays and interviews are tallied, three finalists will be determined (the teachers with the three highest combined scores). On Tuesday, Sept. 25, the Teacher of the Year selection committee will observe each of the three finalists teaching in his or her classroom. The teacher with the highest combined score on the essay, interview, and observation, will be announced as the Newton County School System’s 2019 Teacher of the Year during a special ceremony at Newton High School on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 4:45 p.m.

The Newton County School System 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 Newton High School and presented with a commemorative plaque from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Each of the two runners-up will receive a crystal vase award. The 2018 Newton County Teacher of the Year will receive a crystal vase, a free, three-month car rental from Covington Ford, and a check for $1,000. In addition, this year’s winner will also represent Newton County School System in the Georgia Teacher of the Year program.

Newton County’s Teacher of the Year program would not be possible if it were not for the support of our community. As a result, the Newton County School System and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce would like to extend special thanks to the Chamber Champions, sponsors of the 2018 Teacher of the Year program: AT&T, Bank of North Georgia, BB&T, Beaver Manufacturing, Bridgestone Golf, C.R. Bard, Covington Ford, Covington News, General Mills, Georgia Connector, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Georgia Power Company, Great Estates Landscaping, McMichael’s Construction, Newton County Water & Sewer Authority, Newton Citizen, Newton Federal Bank, Nisshinbo Automotive, Piedmont Newton, Pinnacle Bank, Shire, SKC, Inc., Snapping Shoals EMC, Sunbelt Builders, Three Ring Studios, TPA Realty Services, Tread Technologies (Michelin), United Bank of Covington, Wagner Service Solutions, The Center, Newton College & Career Academy, and THP Creative Group.

2018-19 school-level teachers of the year

East Newton Elementary: Alisha Durand

Fairview Elementary: Kimberly Lane

Flint Hill Elementary: Kim McSwain

Heard-Mixon Elementary: Christina Smith

Live Oak Elementary: Karen Prather

Livingston Elementary: Donna Nelson

Mansfield Elementary: Scarlett Temple

Middle Ridge Elementary: Jennifer Allen

Newton County Theme School at Ficquett: Katie Sauls

Live Oak Elementary: Amy Standard

Porterdale Elementary: Nafeesah Muhammad

Rocky Plains Elementary: Linda Hammond

South Salem Elementary: Kim D. Mills

West Newton Elementary: Stacie Rogers

Clements Middle: DaMiale Johnson

Cousins Middle: Trisha Harper

Indian Creek Middle: Deborah Peterson

Liberty Middle: Felicia Hodges

Veterans Memorial Middle: Cliff Roberts

Alcovy High: Alexandrea Boyington

Eastside High Beth Bowman

Newton High: Lewis Kelly

Newton College & Career Academy: Scott Quinlan