Out of the a whole lot of categorized staff that make up Newton County Colleges, one rose above all of them to assert the title of 2026 HERO.
Andrea Cummings, a kindergarten paraprofessional at Rocky Plains Elementary Faculty, was acknowledged because the districtwide HERO of the Yr on Tuesday night time. The HERO award is an initiative designed by Newton County Colleges to acknowledge categorized staff, as their contributions might not be seen. Categorised staff encompass paraprofessionals, custodians, help workers and extra.
Cummings has been at Rocky Plains for seven years. She spent 5 as a long-term substitute instructor and the final two in her present paraprofessional function.
“That is so humbling,” Cummings mentioned. “That is the best factor that’s ever occurred.”
Cummings credited her household, mates and workers at Rocky Plains Elementary for serving to make this dream a actuality.
“I’ve mentioned this a variety of instances in interviews… It takes a village to boost these youngsters, and to show these youngsters and to like on these youngsters who want it so badly,” Cummings mentioned. “I’m only a small a part of that village, and I’m so humbled to be a small a part of that village.”
Along with her recognition, Cummings was offered with a test for $1,000 from the Newton Training Basis.
“That is merely a token of our appreciation and gratitude for the unbelievable work that they do each single day,” mentioned Michelle Jenkins, Newton Training Basis board member.
Cummings is the second individual to be named the districtwide HERO of the 12 months. Final 12 months, Chandra Mitchell obtained the inaugural award.
Mitchell, who has labored as an administrative assistant and data clerk for the NCS Particular Training Division for the final 30 years, delivered some phrases of knowledge to the viewers about what it means to be a HERO earlier than the massive announcement was made.
“It’s about doing the correct factor, even when nobody is watching,” Mitchell mentioned. “It’s about compassion, persistence and going the additional mile — not as a result of we’ve to, however as a result of we care. I’m deeply grateful to serve alongside so many heroes, who present up day by day with coronary heart, dedication and a ardour for our college students, faculties and communities.”
Cummings was removed from the one individual spotlighted on Tuesday night time. Two different HERO finalists, Diana Caid and Heather McCullough, had been additionally spotlighted through the ceremony.
Caid is a media heart paraprofessional at Oak Hill Elementary, the place she has labored for 13 years. McCullough has labored as a entrance workplace and attendance clerk at Newton Faculty & Profession Academy for the final three years.
Two dozen school-level heroes had been acknowledged through the ceremony. These winners embody:
- Dana Gaddis (East Newton Elementary)
- Howard Thomas (Fairview Elementary)
- Sandy Pestle (Flint Hill Elementary)
- Yolanda Brown (Heard-Mixon Elementary)
- Adrienne Harris (Dwell Oak Elementary)
- Denise Reed (Livingston Elementary)
- Amy Lumpkin (Mansfield Elementary)
- Wendy Vines (Center Ridge Elementary)
- Vickie Petersheim (Newton County STEAM Academy)
- Shadena Peele (Porterdale Elementary)
- Amber Griffin (South Salem Elementary)
- Larry Rivers (West Newton Elementary)
- Terry Thomas (Clements Center)
- Tracy Prepare dinner (Cousins Center)
- Marcie Sigman (Indian Creek Center)
- Susan Moore (Liberty Center)
- Tessa Melton (Veterans Memorial Center)
- Belinda Cline (Alcovy Excessive)
- Francis Conway (Eastside Excessive)
- Danielle Minnifield (Newton Excessive)
- Christy Compton (Studying and Management Division)
- Robert Reid (Operations Division)
- Davis Johnson (Technique & Help Division)
- Connie Whaley (Superintendent’s Division)
The NEF awarded the 2 district finalists and the 2 dozen school-level winners with a $200 test.
Because the night concluded, Newton County Colleges Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III thanked the award winners for his or her service to the district.
“Tonight, we’ve celebrated excellence,” Bradley mentioned, “however extra importantly, we’ve reaffirmed what we worth as a company.”
