Newton County School System

It's National Principals Month! Meet Fairview Elementary- Covington, GA Principal, Kimberlee Sorrell! 1. Name: Kimberlee Sorrell 2. School: THE Fairview Elementary School 3. What inspired you to pursue a career in education? I had a Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Leavine. Because I never took a nap in Kindergarten (not surprising), she saw me faking sleep and called me up to her desk. She taught me to read while my classmates slept. At that time, Kindergarteners only learned about the Letter People. They did not learn to read. When I reached first grade, I was skipped to second grade after three days because I could already read. She taught me about the power and influence an educator has in the life and learning of a child. 4. What are three key qualities you believe every effective school leader should have? Patience. Persistence. Perseverance. 5. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why? Harriet Tubman. I would love to hear – first hand – about her passion to inspire, support, and provide the greatest gift possible – freedom. I would want to sit and listen. 6. What is a memorable moment or achievement at your school or in your career that stands out to you? The most memorable moments or achievements are when a former student simply says ‘thank you.’ There is absolutely nothing better than the gift of thanks for teaching and leading the future. 7. What is a hobby or interest you enjoy outside of school? I enjoy following my two teenagers in their high school sports. I also enjoy gardening and always have a collection of flowers, plants, vegetables, and palm trees growing in various parts of my home – both inside and outside. 8. What legacy do you hope to leave at your school? I hope to inspire others to remain positive, support each other, and continue to grow daily. I also would love for everyone to know that our NEST is an amazing place to learn and grow! 9. How do you stay motivated and inspired in your role as a principal? My students, staff, parents, district leaders, and community partners keep me motivated and inspired. Talking with them, getting high 5s, giving and receiving hugs, and connecting with them keep me inspired and motivated every day! I also know that I can reach out to anyone in our NEST to give me a boost, a pep talk, and get me re-motivated and re-inspired! 10. What is the most important lesson you've learned as a leader? Every day, we have the opportunity to learn, lead, and grow.

Big News! The Newton County Board of Education has been named a 2024 Quality School Board! Read more at the following link: https://lnkd.in/egujT_-Z

Newton County Schools' 2024 Graduation Rate is an outstanding 91%! Read our press release for more details here: https://lnkd.in/eJFfpmG6

It's National Principals Month! Meet Veterans Memorial Middle School Principal, Mr. Marlon Gilbert! What inspired you to pursue a career in education? Growing up with an educator as a parent inspired me to pursue a career in teaching. I saw the incredible difference a teacher can make in a student's life, which sparked my own passion for nurturing curiosity and cultivating a love of learning. I’m excited to carry on that legacy and empower the next generation. What are three key qualities you believe every effective school leader should have? I believe every effective school leader should embody three key qualities: Empathy: A leader should understand the diverse needs and experiences of students, teachers, and families, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Vision: It’s essential to have a clear vision for the school’s future and the ability to inspire the community to work toward shared goals. Adaptability: With change being the only constant, leaders must be flexible and open to new ideas, enabling them to navigate challenges and seize opportunities for growth and improvement. What is a memorable moment or achievement at your school or in your career that stands out to you? One of the most memorable moments and achievements in my career came as an eighth-grade math teacher. With only two years of teaching experience, I transitioned back to middle school to teach eighth-grade math. After years of marginal student outcomes, we experienced a 41% increase in student proficiency and a 32% increase in student growth. This moment served as a turning point in my career and shaped my philosophy. I became a firm believer in “if you teach them, they will learn”. After years of marginal math scores, we experienced consistent student growth by being intentional in our planning and instructional delivery practices. This moment shaped my career as a math teacher and leader. What legacy do you hope to leave at your school? I aspire to leave a legacy that fundamentally shifts beliefs about education. As educators, we often profess the idea that all children can learn, yet there are times when our actions don't fully reflect that commitment. My hope is to inspire teachers and leaders to be intentional in creating meaningful learning experiences that truly enhance student outcomes. By fostering an environment where every student is seen, valued, and challenged, we can transform our educational practices and ensure that our beliefs are not just words, but guiding principles that shape our actions. Together, we can create a lasting impact that empowers every child to reach their fullest potential.

It's National Principals Month! Meet Oak Hill Elementary School Principal, Dr. Brenda Gammans! 1. Name: Brenda Gammans 2. School: Oak Hill Elementary School 3. What inspired you to pursue a career in education? Science teacher: Georga Phillips 4. What are three key qualities you believe every effective school leader should have? a. They should understand the importance of building community b. They utilize data and resources c. They create collaborative and inclusive learning environments 5. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why? Benjamin Franklin – I would like to better understand the history of the Declaration of Independence and writing of the US Constitution. I would also like to discuss science with him. 6. What is a memorable moment or achievement at your school or in your career that stands out to you? There are just too many. 7. What is a hobby or interest you enjoy outside of school? Reading 8. What legacy do you hope to leave at your school? I want to be known as a caring and supportive administrator. 9. How do you stay motivated and inspired in your role as a principal? a. Celebrate successes at school b. Continue to learn ways to help students and teachers 10. What is the most important lesson you've learned as a leader? If you have faith in teachers, they will rise to high expectations.

It's National Principals Month! Meet Middle Ridge Elementary School Principal, Ms. Rhonda Battle! Principal Name: Rhonda Battle School: Middle Ridge Elementary School What inspired you to pursue a career in education? My 5th-grade teacher inspired me to pursue a career in education. What are three key qualities you believe every effective school leader should have? Three key qualities I believe school leaders should have: visionary, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal skills. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why? If I could have dinner with any historical figure, I would choose Nelson Mandela. I would be interested in hearing about his journey to become the first president of South Africa. What is a memorable moment or achievement at your school or in your career that stands out to you? A memorable achievement at MRE that stands out to me is working with all of our team members to create a high-functioning professional learning community. What is a hobby or interest you enjoy outside of school? I enjoy reading outside of school. How do you stay motivated and inspired in your role as a principal? My students motivate and inspire me in my role as a principal.

The Newton County Schools' Board of Education continues to prioritize the safety, health, and wellbeing of our students and staff. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGAqrNBY

Today, Superintendent Bradley joined with local community leaders to discuss ongoing collaborative efforts to ensure a coordinated response to the recent BioLab chemical fire in neighboring Rockdale County.

Newton County Schools closed tomorrow (October 1) for students and some staff; all principals, central office employees, and 12-month staff should report tomorrow in anticipation of a full return for everyone on Wednesday, October 2. For more details read our news alert here: https://lnkd.in/e6DG2WKa

Out of an abundance of caution, all Newton County Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 30 due to the lingering impact of the chemical fire in neighboring Rockdale County. Read here for more: https://lnkd.in/ehqvGD_4