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School system, chamber select teachers of the year
0927TEACHER
Twenty-three people named Newton County teachers of the year. They are, front row from left: Leigh Pickrell, East Newton Elementary; Angie Dean, Fairview Elementary; Allison Norman, Flint Hill Elementary; Donna Thompson, Heard-Mixon Elementary; Tarsha Williams, Live Oak Elementary; Winston Palmer, Livingston Elementary; Vanessa Carter, Mansfield Elementary; Lee Ann Gourlay, Middle Ridge Elementary; Kimberly Wilber, Newton County Theme School; Brittany Temples, Oak Hill Elementary; and Tameka Clark, Porterdale Elementary. Back row: Roxanne Estridge Hayes, Rocky Plains Elementary; Bo Holder, South Salem Elementary; Zandra Mapp, West Newton Elementary; Denise Walker, Clements Middle; Terry Badertscher, Cousins Middle; Amanda Angulo, Indian Creek Middle; Courtney Randle, Liberty Middle; Chandra Black, Veterans Memorial Middle; Kristen Bagwell, Alcovy High; Michael Poor, Eastside High; Marina Goddard, Newton High; and Kemily Pattillo, Newton College & Career Academy.
Staff Report
Updated: Sep 22, 2015, 5:32 PM
Published: Sep 22, 2015, 5:51 PM

Twenty-three teachers have been named Newton County School System and the New County Chamber of Commerce's 2014 to 2015 teachers of the year.

Each teacher was selected by his or her peers at the end of the 2014 through 2015 academic year. Those selected will participate in the county program to serve as the Newton County School System's 2016 Teacher of the Year.

In addition to filling out a questionnaire about their educational background, philosophy and style of teaching, the 23 people were interviewed this week by a panel of judges representing the county's schools, Chamber of Comerce, and local business and civic organizations. 

The top three finalists will be announced Friday. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the selection committee will observe each of the three finalists teaching in the classroom. 

The 2016 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a ceremony at the high school on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 4:45 p.m. The teaacher will receive a crystal vase, a free, three-month car rental from Covington Ford, and $1,000. The winner will represent Newton County School System in the Georgia Teacher of the Year program.

The 23 people selected as teachers of the year are: Leigh Pickrell, East Newton Elementary; Angie Dean, Fairview Elementary; Allison Norman, Flint Hill Elementary; Donna Thompson, Heard-Mixon Elementary; Tarsha Williams, Live Oak Elementary; Winston Palmer, Livingston Elementary; Vanessa Carter, Mansfield Elementary; Lee Ann Gourlay, Middle Ridge Elementary; Kimberly Wilber, Newton County Theme School at Ficquette; Brittany Temples, Oak Hill Elementary; Tameka Clark, Porterdale Elementary; Roxanne Estridge Hayes, Rocky Plains Elementary; Bo Holden, South Salem Elementary; Zandra Mapp, West Newton Elementary; Denise Walker, Clements Middle Scool; Terry Badertscher, Cousins MIddle School; Amanda Angulo, Indian Creek Middle School; Courtney Randle, Liberty Middle School; Chandra Black, Veterans Memorial Middle School; Kristen Bagwell, Alcovy High School; Michael Poor, Eastside High School; Marina Goddard, Newton High School; and Kemily Pattillo, Newton College and Career Academy.
Newton County native charged with threatening school in Warren County
Mason Garrett taught at Warren County High School
mason garrett
Mason Garrett, a Newton County man, was arrested for making terroristic threats at Warren County High School. Photo via McDuffie County Sheriff's Office.
Kate Verity
Updated: May 9, 2025, 9:23 PM
Published: May 9, 2025, 9:14 PM

WARREN COUNTY — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) arrested a Newton County native who taught at a school 75 miles east of Covington.

Mason Garrett, 22, was arrested on April 29 for making verbal threats at Warren County High School (WCHS), where he is a teacher. 

According to a press release from the GBI, Garrett – a 2020 Alcovy High School graduate –  allegedly made verbal threats to shoot staff and students at WCHS. The incident reportedly occurred on school premises on April 24.

“On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer requested the GBI to investigate a potential incident involving terroristic threats and acts made by a teacher at the school,” the press release states.

The following day, the GBI arrested Garrett and charged him with one felony count of terroristic threats and acts. He was booked into the McDuffie County Jail.

The GBI is continuing to investigate the situation. Following the investigation, Garrett will be prosecuted in the Toombs Judicial Circuit.

The GBI requests that anyone with information call 706-595-2575. Additionally, anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or on the See Something, Send Something mobile app.