Alcovy High School literature teacher, Kristen Bagwell, is Newton County School System’s 2016 Teacher of the Year! She will now represent Newton County Schools in the Georgia Teacher of the Year Program. Her prizes included $1,000 cash, a crystal vase, three-month’s free car rental from Covington Ford, a $500 Kroger gift card along with a $100 gift basket, and one dozen red roses.

Ms. Amanda Angulo of Indian Creek Middle and Mr. Bo Holder of South Salem Elementary were runners up. Both Angulo and Holder each won a crystal vase, a $100 Kroger gift basket, and a $250 Kroger gift card.

“This is such an honor that I really can’t put it in words,” said Bagwell, speaking as the NCSS Teacher of the Year for the very first time. Choking back tears, she added, “I have always wanted to be a teacher and I’m just blessed that Newton County has given me the opportunity to do that. I received a great education at UGA that took me where I could support the kids in this county and help them be better people and help them be prepared for the world that they’re going to enter.”

Ms. Bagwell began her teaching career in Newton County. She was hired as a literature teacher at Alcovy High School in 2012 and has worked there ever since. Ms. Bagwell has taught literature and composition, American literature and composition, SAT Prep, and Tools for College Success at Alcovy. In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. Bagwell has served as the school’s Ninth Grade Literature and Composition Content Leader and later the English Language Arts Department Chair. She was also selected English Language Arts High School Content Specialist for Newton County. She has served as a mentor to new teachers and has taken on the role of College and Career Readiness Teacher Leader at Alcovy. Ms. Bagwell has also been chosen to participate in the Emerging Leaders Endorsement Program through Griffin RESA.

Ms. Bagwell earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in English Education from the University of Georgia in 2012. She is on course to complete her Master of Education degree and Reading Endorsement from Georgia Southern University in December.  Ms. Bagwell was a member of the Student Professional Association of Georgia Educators in college and once she began her teaching career became a member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators.

Newton County’s Teacher of the Year program would not be possible if it were not for the support of our community. As a result, the Newton County School System and the Newton County Chamber of Commerce would like to extend special thanks to the Chamber Champions, sponsors of the 2016 Teacher of the Year program: AT&T; Bank of North Georgia; BB&T; Beaver Manufacturing; Bridgestone Golf; C.R. Bard; Consolidated Copiers; Great Estates; Covington News; General Mills; Georgia Perimeter College; Georgia Power; Ginn Motor Company; Michelin-Tread Technologies; Newton College & Career Academy; Newton Citizen; Newton County Water & Sewerage Authority; Newton Federal Bank; Newton Medical Center; Pattillo Construction; Pinnacle Bank; SKC, Inc.; Snapping Shoals EMC; Sunbelt Builders; United Bank of Covington; Wagner Services; and TPA Realty.

For more information on the Newton County School System Teacher of the Year program, contact Ms. Sherri Davis-Viniard, Director of Public Relations for Newton County Schools at [email protected]