COVINGTON, Ga. - Newton High School science teacher, Lewis Kelly, is Newton County School System’s 2019 Teacher of the Year! He will now represent Newton County Schools in the Georgia Teacher of the Year Program. Mr. Kelly’s prizes included $1,000 cash and a crystal vase from the Newton County Chamber of Commerce and three months free car rental from Covington Ford.

Mrs. Kimberly Lane of Fairview Elementary School and Mr. Cliff Roberts of Veterans Memorial Middle School were this year’s runners-up. They each received a crystal vase award from the Newton County Chamber of Commerce.

“The reason I got into this profession is to shape a young person’s life and their mind, change their life for the positive, for the good,” said Kelly. “I’m very grateful for this honor and I’m very appreciative.”

Mr. Kelly is an epidemiology and physical science teacher at Newton High School, where he has worked since August 2014. He previously taught biology in both the DeKalb and Henry County school systems. Mr. Kelly earned his bachelor of science degree from South Carolina State University in 2000. After a six-year career in the National Football League, where he played offensive guard for the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants, Mr. Kelly earned a master’s in education degree from the University of Phoenix and pursued a career in education. He’s been a teacher since 2011.

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 2019 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.