Newton County Schools Honors 2025–26 HERO Award Nominees

Newton County Schools (NCS) has announced the honorees for its second annual HERO Awards, recognizing classified employees who significantly impact students from pre-K through high school. The awards, which celebrate exceptional commitment and performance, aim to highlight the vital roles these staff members play in the educational ecosystem.

Launched in the previous year, the HERO Awards align with the state and national “Recognizing Inspirational School Employees” (RISE) initiative, which aims to uplift outstanding service across diverse educational settings. In a statement, Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley, III underscored the importance of acknowledging these contributions.

“Our classified employees play an essential role in the daily operation of our schools,” said Bradley. “From ensuring safe transportation to providing nutritious meals, maintaining facilities, greeting families, and supporting instruction, these individuals make extraordinary contributions that strengthen every part of our school district.”

The HERO Awards acknowledge a wide range of job categories, including clerical and administrative services, custodial and maintenance services, food and nutrition services, health and student services, paraprofessionals, security services, skilled trades, technical services, and transportation services. Employees in positions such as administrative assistants, custodians, school nutrition staff, nurses, and bus drivers are among those celebrated.

To qualify for the HERO Award, nominees must have worked a minimum of three years with Newton County Schools, including at least one year in their current school or division. Award recipients are recognized for demonstrating exceptional initiative, leadership, professionalism, and compassion. They also foster a welcoming and supportive school environment while modeling values such as teamwork, respect, and integrity. Maintaining excellent attendance and punctuality is another key criterion for selection.

Each school and division within Newton County Schools has selected one classified employee as a representative for the 2025–26 HERO Awards. From this pool of honorees, a district-wide winner will be chosen to receive the 2026 Newton County Schools HERO Award. This recipient will also represent NCS in the upcoming Georgia RISE Awards program, which offers potential state-level recognition.

The following individuals have been honored as the 2025–26 HERO Award nominees:

– East Newton Elementary: Dana Gaddis, Special Education Paraprofessional
– Fairview Elementary: Howard Thomas, Head Custodian
– Flint Hill Elementary: Sandy Pestle, Special Needs pre-K Paraprofessional
– Heard-Mixon Elementary: Yolanda Brown, Special Education Paraprofessional
– Live Oak Elementary: Adrienne Harris, Instructional Paraprofessional
– Livingston Elementary: Denise Reed, School Nutrition Assistant
– Mansfield Elementary: Amy Lumpkin, Registrar
– Middle Ridge Elementary: Wendy Vines, Cafeteria Manager
– Newton County STEAM Academy: Vickie Petersheim, Nurse
– Oak Hill Elementary: Diana Caid, Instructional Paraprofessional
– Porterdale Elementary: Shadena Peele, Special Education Paraprofessional
– Rocky Plains Elementary: Andrea Cummings, Kindergarten Paraprofessional
– South Salem Elementary: Amber Griffin, Bookkeeper
– West Newton Elementary: Larry Rivers, Head Custodian
– Clements Middle: Terry Thomas, Head Custodian
– Cousins Middle: Tracy Cook, Office Clerk
– Indian Creek Middle: Marcie Sigman, Office Clerk
– Liberty Middle: Susan Moore, Registrar
– Veterans Memorial Middle: Tessa Melton, Special Education Interrelated Paraprofessional
– Alcovy High: Belinda Cline, Administrative Assistant
– Eastside High: Francis Conway, Head Custodian
– Newton High: Danielle Minnifield, Transportation Zone Supervisor
– Newton College & Career Academy: Heather McCullough, Front Office/Attendance Clerk
– Superintendent’s Division: Connie Whaley, Executive Assistant
– Operations Division: Robert Reid, Bus Driver
– Learning & Leadership Division: Christy Compton, Administrative Assistant
– Strategy & Support Division: David Johnson, Network Administrator

The district-wide HERO Award winner will be announced during the Second Annual HERO Awards Program on March 31, 2026, at the Porter Performing Arts Center. The ceremony will celebrate all school- and division-level HERO Award honorees.

Chair of the School Board Abigail Coggin expressed appreciation for the ongoing recognition of classified staff. “The HERO Awards provide a meaningful way for us to honor the classified employees who keep our schools running smoothly every single day,” Coggin remarked. “Their positive influence extends far beyond their job descriptions. They support students, lift up colleagues, and help create the welcoming environments our families value. We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate them again this year.”