NEWTON COUNTY – On Thursday, the Newton County School System (NCSS) and Newton County Chamber of Commerce announced their top three finalists for Newton County’s 2024 Teacher of the Year award.
Jenica Brittingham of Alcovy High School, Dr. Cecily Gunter of Newton College & Career Academy and Kimberly Ralston of Livingston Elementary School earned the three spots.
Candidates for county teacher of the year were narrowed down after essays were submitted and interviews were conducted by a panel of judges for each of the school system’s 23 teachers of the year. The aforementioned teachers earned the highest points in the preliminary round.
Interim superintendent Dr. Benjamin Roundtree, along with board of education members Shakila Henderson-Baker, Abigail Coggin, Trey Bailey and office staff traveled to each finalist’s school with balloons and flowers to surprise them with the news of their accomplishment. Family members of each candidate were also present.
– photo by Emily Rose Hamby
Jenica Brittingham, theatre fine arts, Alcovy High
Jenica Brittingham has been teaching for 14 years and has spent her last five years as the theatre fine arts instructor at Alcovy High School. Prior to teaching in Newton County, Brittingham taught in Georgia’s Putnam County School System, in Illinois and taught honors English and theater in Shanghai, China.
She earned her bachelor’s in secondary English education and theatre from Millikin University and her master’s in theatre education from the University of Northern Colorado.
Brittingham expressed excitement and shock when learning of her status as a finalist.
“I’m honestly super, super surprised and shocked,” Brittingham said. “I wasn’t expecting this at all. It’s pretty amazing, incredible and exciting. It’s great to be named teacher of the year at Alcovy and now a finalist for Newton County.”
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