The Jones County School System is proud to recognize eight educators who have been selected as Teachers of the Year for the 2026–2027 school year at their respective schools across the district.
The Jones County High School Teacher of the Year is Audie Newsome. With six and a half years of experience, Newsome teaches Introduction to Health, Essentials of Healthcare, and Mental Health Profession to students in grades nine through twelve.
Newsome is an alumnus of Jones County High School, class of 2010. She graduated from Georgia College & State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Science and Community Health. She then went on to earn her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Georgia. She is expecting to obtain her Tier I Leadership Certification from the University of West Georgia in July of this year.
She spoke about how she felt after being named Jones County High School’s Teacher of the Year.
“To have someone take the time to nominate you and put in the work that goes along with it was very flattering. The fact that someone believed I would be a good fit and took time out of their schedule to do that was so sweet. Then, to find out that even more of my fellow teachers considered me in that way as well, I was absolutely blown away. I was speechless, excited, in disbelief, and incredibly honored,” Newsome said.
Katelyn McCain is the Teacher of the Year at Gray Station Middle School and serves as a small-group PEC teacher for students in grades six through eight. She educates students in all content areas, including English language arts, math, science, and social studies.
She has thirteen years of teaching experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in special education from Georgia College & State University.
McCain said she was in disbelief when she found out she was being honored as Teacher of the Year.
“When I first found out that I had won Teacher of the Year, I was in shock and did not believe that I had won. After the initial shock, I felt honored that my coworkers chose me to represent Gray Station Middle School,” she said.
Clifton Ridge Middle School’s Teacher of the Year is Lori Johnson. She is the school’s band teacher and has 22 years of experience as an educator.
Johnson earned both her Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education from Georgia College & State University.
“When I found out I had been named Teacher of the Year for Clifton Ridge, I was honestly shocked and so incredibly honored. Clifton Ridge is filled with amazing teachers who love our students and work hard every single day, so any one of them would have been a wonderful choice. I’m beyond proud to represent Cougar Country and music education, and I’m pretty sure my band students were even more excited than I was,” Johnson said.
Laurie Terry is the Teacher of the Year at Mattie Wells Elementary School and a 28-year educator who currently serves as a fifth-grade PEC co-teacher for reading and math.
Terry earned a Bachelor of Arts in Specific Learning Disabilities from Mercer University. She also holds two master’s degrees, one in interrelated special education and one in leadership and administration, as well as a specialist degree in leadership and administration from Georgia College & State University.
She said the recognition came as a complete surprise.
“My heart is so full. Knowing I was nominated alongside four other highly deserving candidates, I truly didn’t expect anything beyond the faculty vote. It meant the world to me that my co-worker took the time to nominate me in the first place,” she said.
Dames Ferry Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year is Ellen Blaxton. She is a PEC co-teacher in first, third, and fourth grades, and has 16 years of experience as an educator.
Her bachelor’s degree is in general business administration from Georgia College & State University. She later received her master’s and specialist degrees in special education from the same institution.
“I am incredibly thankful to be chosen for this honor among so many outstanding teachers at our school. I am grateful to be able to do what I love every day and for the amazing faculty, students, and families that make our school so special,” Blaxton said.
Marissa Gowen
represents Turner Woods Elementary School as Teacher of the Year. She is a fifth-grade homeroom teacher and educates students in every subject.
Gowen earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Georgia College & State University.
“I was truly honored to be named Teacher of the Year for Turner Woods Elementary, especially knowing I was nominated alongside so many incredible teachers. I have learned so much from the teachers at this school, and they have helped shape the educator I am today,” Gowen said.
She spoke of her appreciation for her students and their families.
“I’m also grateful for the amazing students and supportive families I have the privilege of working with each day, because they are what make this job so meaningful. I’m not originally from this county, but the way this community and school system have welcomed and accepted me has made it feel like home. Receiving this recognition made that feeling even more special,” Gowen said.
Gray Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year is Macy Skinner. She is a current first-grade teacher and has seven years of experience in the classroom.
She obtained her associate’s degree in early childhood education from Georgia Military College before earning her bachelor’s degree in the same field from Gordon State College. She later earned her Specialist in Teacher Leadership from Valdosta State University.
“I felt incredibly honored and grateful to be named Teacher of the Year. It was a very meaningful moment to be recognized for doing something I truly love— making a difference in my students’ lives every day,” Skinner said.
With 18 years of teaching experience, Niki Hoffman has the honor of being Teacher of the Year at Jones County Pre-K.
Hoffman received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Mercer University and earned her master’s degree in educational technology from Strayer University.
She spoke about what it meant to receive the Teacher of the Year title.
“To be recognized for doing what I love is an incredible honor, but the real reward is, and always has been, the success of my students. Being recognized for this is bittersweet, as it belongs to the entire school community. Behind every ‘Teacher of the Year’ is a classroom of inspiring students and a hallway full of supportive colleagues,” Hoffman said.
She said teaching defines who she is.
“Teaching isn’t just what I do; it’s who I am. I am deeply moved to be recognized for a journey that my students make meaningful every single day. I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named Teacher of the Year, and I am grateful for my students, my mentors, and the opportunity to make a difference,” Hoffman said.
Chief of Human Resources Jennifer Holland spoke about the role of teachers in the Jones County School System.
“Teachers play the most important roles in our schools and communities. They not only provide academic instruction but also encourage, mentor, and empower students to reach their full potential. Their influence extends far beyond the classroom, helping to shape future leaders, problem-solvers, and engaged citizens,” she said.
She went on to congratulate all eight educators recognized as teacher of the year.
“As we recognize our FY27 Teacher of the Year representatives, we celebrate their outstanding contributions and the meaningful impact they make every day. This honor reflects their professionalism, commitment to excellence, and dedication to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed,” she said.
