Houston County Board of Education

Jesse Price, a 2024 Northside High School graduate, was named Georgia’s 2023-2024 Work-Based Learning Student of the Year during the 77th Annual Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education Summer Conference held in June. Price completed the Teaching as a Profession pathway at the Houston College & Career Academy under the instruction of Erin Morton. Jesse interviewed for and was hired by the Houston County School District as part of the Work-Based Learning/Youth Apprenticeship Program in 2023. In his one and a half years, Jesse worked over 1,300 hours at Quail Run Elementary School (both in the After School Program and in former teacher, Mrs. Patricia Clower’s classroom) and Warner Robins Middle School where he worked alongside his former teacher, Mrs. Aimee Bagwell. To top things off, Jesse maintained a 3.92 overall GPA. Because of his love for teaching, Jesse also worked several summers at the Museum of Aviation STEM camps, and, for the summer of 2024, he was promoted to lead teacher at the camp. “Jesse has been an absolute pleasure to work with over the past two years. He has been impressive with classroom management, technology, and instruction from day one,” said Sandi Couillard, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator for the Houston County School District. “Jesse has been so professional in his classroom roles that he has often been mistaken for a seasoned teacher. I look forward to seeing Jesse continue to learn and grow in education, and I can’t wait to visit him in his own classroom one day!” Jesse was also selected as the Georgia Student of the Year for the West Central Region. He will continue to pursue his career goal of becoming a teacher while attending Middle Georgia State University. Congratulations, Jesse!

To the over 2,100 students who graduated from our high schools this past weekend: It is an honor and a privilege to celebrate your outstanding achievement of graduating with the Class of 2024. You had a goal, and you worked hard to reach it. Congratulations on earning your high school diploma! We can't wait to see what is next for each of you. - Dr. Mark Scott, Superintendent of Schools and the Houston County School District's Executive Cabinet

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year! The honorees will be recognized during the District’s Opening Session on July 24, 2024. Ten teachers were selected as the District’s Top 10 Teachers of the Year following a written application and classroom observations. These teachers advanced to the next level of interviews where the Houston County Teacher of the Year will be selected. The Houston County Teacher of the Year and four finalists will be announced for the first time during Opening Session. Bonaire Elementary - Maggie Angel Bonaire Middle - Kaley Hicks, Top 10 Bonaire Primary - Gretchen Stone, Top 10 C.B. Watson Primary - Alandra Justice Centerville Elementary - Joynita Etheridge David Perdue Elementary - Katherine Card David Perdue Primary - Sarah Steinbacher, Top 10 Eagle Springs Elementary - Andrea Skipper, Top 10 Feagin Mill Middle - TaShaunessy Kennedy Hilltop Elementary - Berniece Whitehead Houston College & Career Academy - Kristie Norris, Top 10 Houston County High - Brett Taylor Houston County WIN Academy - Courtney Hickey Huntington Middle - Sekemia Caldwell-Johnson Kings Chapel Elementary - Mary Jan Kratz, Top 10 Lake Joy Elementary - Jade Thomas, Top 10 Lake Joy Primary - Sarita Hicks Langston Road Elementary - Deanna Foster, Top 10 Langston Road Primary - Shelly Osborne Matt Arthur Elementary - Kimberly Strozier Miller Elementary - Latricia Cosby Morningside Elementary - Katrina West Mossy Creek Middle - Shannon Ballard, Top 10 Northside Elementary - June Glover Northside High - Jae-Otiss Carter Northside Middle - Renee Stephens Parkwood Elementary - Amanda Hickey Pearl Stephens Elementary - Zaleshia McGriff Perry High - Felton Williams Perry Middle - Megan Alford Quail Run Elementary - Angela Andrews Russell Elementary - Denise Maddox Shirley Hills Elementary - Carlencia Jones Thomson Middle - William Acosta Tucker Elementary - Holly Owen Veterans High - Megan Jones, Top 10 semi-finalist Warner Robins High - Maria Lemus Warner Robins Middle - Jamessa Copeland Westside Elementary- Terri Chavira

On January 17, Mossy Creek Middle School's Med Tech, Shay Massey, helped save the life a fellow coworker during a medical emergency on campus. Because of her heroic actions and faithful service to Mossy Creek, Mrs. Massey was honored as the April Hero in Education by the Perry Chamber. We couldn't be more proud of her dedication to our staff and students. Congratulations, Mrs. Massey! #continuouslygrowinghouston

Once per quarter, the Perry Chamber of Commerce holds a special ceremony to honor students from our Perry area elementary and middle schools who display ambition and hard work in their schools. Congratulations to these bright minds recognized on April 30!

Last week, we honored 107 retirees who have collectively given just shy of 2,500 years to the field of education. These outstanding educators and support staff made a significant impact on our students and their families. We wish all of our retirees well, no matter what this next chapter of life holds. To read the complete list of this year’s honorees, visit https://lnkd.in/gn6GMepV. #continuouslygrowinghouston

Congratulations to Ms. Lopez from Westside Elementary School for being named the Statewide School Nutrition Manager of the Year! What a fantastic and well-deserved award! #continuouslygrowinghouston

Recently, several teachers from across our District completed the Houston County Teacher Leadership Academy. The Academy is designed for teachers who want to support, cultivate, and lead the work of the school's Professional Learning Community. Participants engaged in learning experiences aligned with the Teacher Leader Model Standards. They also completed Capstone Projects designed to improve a process within their school. If you're a teacher who is looking for a District that offers professional growth and leadership opportunities, we have teaching positions available for 2024-2025. Learn more at www.hcbe.net/teachhouston.

All five high schools in Houston County have been named 2024 Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools by State Superintendent Richard Woods. Based on the results from the 2023 AP courses and exams, our high schools placed in six of the eight categories. AP Access and Support Schools: Houston County High and Warner Robins High AP Humanities: Houston County High AP Humanities Achievement Schools: Houston County High AP Schools of Distinction: Houston County High and Veterans High AP STEM Schools: Houston County High, Northside High, Perry High, Veterans High, and Warner Robins High AP STEM Achievement Schools: Houston County High School, Perry High, and Veterans High Congratulations to our students and staff! Learn more about these awards at www.hcbe.net/newsmedia. #continuouslygrowinghouston

Eighteen fifth graders from the Houston County School District’s Gifted and Talented Education classes recently competed in the Elementary School Oratorical Contest at the Central Office in Perry. During their speeches, students were asked to discuss which historical event required people to be the most optimistic and how their optimism impacts our lives today. Congratulations to our 2024 top orators! *1st place – Kahlil Florence Lake Joy Elementary, Coach Jennifer Yakush *2nd place – Riley May Gramley Langston Road Elementary, Coach Hayley Sikes *3rd place – Thomas Wadsworth Matt Arthur Elementary, Coach Peaches Tankersley