News and Events
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(AUGUSTA, GEORGIA) – Two Richmond County School System graduates were selected for the inaugural Augusta cohort of the Earl Woods Scholar Program, a national college access and scholarship program of TGR Foundation.
Kaesha Ford, a Westside Comprehensive High School graduate, and Kaleyah Turmon, a John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School graduate, are among 22 students nationwide selected for the 2026 cohort. Ford will attend Augusta University, while Turmon will attend Howard University.
“As the Earl Woods Scholar Program expands to Augusta, we are excited to see new opportunities opening for our students and look forward to watching these young women continue to thrive, adapt and lead,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, superintendent of schools. “We are incredibly proud of Kaesha and Kaleyah for earning this opportunity and representing Richmond County on a national stage.”
As Earl Woods Scholars, Ford and Turmon will receive renewable scholarships, one-to-one professional mentorship, professional development, internship placement assistance and other support throughout college. This year’s 22 scholars were selected from 984 applicants referred by teachers and school counselors. Established in 2006 in honor of Tiger Woods’ father, Earl Woods, the program selects scholars based on academic excellence, financial need and commitment to community service.
The Earl Woods Scholar Program currently serves 96 students nationwide and has a 98% alumni graduation rate.
Founded by Tiger Woods in 1996, TGR Foundation provides educational opportunities for students from under-resourced communities, with a focus on STEAM enrichment and college and career readiness. The foundation has served more than 217,000 students.
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The Richmond County School System (RCSS) is inviting parents and community members to make their voices heard by serving on the School Council at their school.
School Councils bring parents, community members, teachers, and school leaders together to share perspectives and provide recommendations that support student achievement and school improvement.
Why Join School Council?
By serving on a School Council, parents and community members can:
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Share their voice and bring their perspectives, ideas and experiences to the table.
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Support student success by providing input on priorities that affect students and families.
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Help strengthen their school through discussions about school improvement plans, curriculum and assessments, family engagement, communication and budget priorities.
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Build stronger connections among families, educators, school leaders and the broader community.
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Learn more about their school and the goals, opportunities and challenges that shape its work.
Georgia law requires every public school to have a School Council. Councils serve in an advisory role and are designed to encourage participation from families and communities in conversations about student achievement and school improvement.
Interested in serving?
Parents and community members can visit rcboe.info/schoolcouncil to complete the RCSS School Council Interest Form.
![Three C.T. Walker Educators Earn GaLEADS Accomplished Teacher Designation]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787763921/rcboeorg/kfwz5pjm39xwrqbvkfjh/GeorgiaLeadsAccomplishedTeachersFacebook-1080x1080.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787763921/rcboeorg/kfwz5pjm39xwrqbvkfjh/GeorgiaLeadsAccomplishedTeachersFacebook-1080x1080.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787763921/rcboeorg/kfwz5pjm39xwrqbvkfjh/GeorgiaLeadsAccomplishedTeachersFacebook-1080x1080.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787763921/rcboeorg/kfwz5pjm39xwrqbvkfjh/GeorgiaLeadsAccomplishedTeachersFacebook-1080x1080.jpg","width":1080}])
“I can do this.”
Those four words reflect the kind of transformation educators at C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School strive to inspire every day. This year, that commitment to student growth and professional excellence has earned three Richmond County School System educators' statewide recognition.
Tiara Boyd, Taren David and LaQuandra Staley are among a select group in their 2026 cohort to receive the Georgia Department of Education’s GaLEADS Accomplished Teacher Designation. The honor recognizes veteran educators who demonstrate exemplary instructional practice, continuous professional learning, leadership in teacher development and meaningful contributions to the profession.
For Tiara Boyd, a math instructional specialist, the designation represents both personal affirmation and professional evolution.
“It affirms that my commitment to building relationships, recognizing student potential and helping students reach their goals has made an impact,” Boyd said.
Boyd said reflection, collaboration and a focus on student data have shaped her growth. Her leadership now extends beyond her classroom through professional learning and schoolwide instructional support.
One student, Caydence, remains central to her story. As a second grader, Caydence struggled with reading confidence. Through consistent encouragement and targeted support, she met her reading goal and gained confidence in her abilities.
“She became my first success story,” Boyd said. “Caydence reminds me that sometimes our greatest impact is helping a child believe, ‘I can do this.’”
Taren David, a 3rd Grade ELA Teacher, also described the recognition as a milestone shaped by years of intentional practice and reflection.
“Excellence has never meant perfection,” David said. “It means being intentional, remaining teachable, reflecting on my practice and consistently asking, ‘How can I better serve my students?’”
David said her experiences as both a student and educator have reinforced the importance of seeing beyond academics to the whole child. In her classroom, success can look like a quiet student finding their voice, a struggling reader gaining confidence or a student taking ownership of their learning.
Her leadership extends beyond instruction through mentoring colleagues, participating in professional learning and serving on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System test development committee.
LaQuandra Staley, Literacy Support Specialist, also joins Boyd and David in receiving the distinction, further highlighting C.T. Walker’s strong culture of instructional excellence and teacher leadership. Staley’s work in literacy support reflects a deep commitment to strengthening reading outcomes and ensuring students have the foundational skills needed for long-term success.
As Boyd put it, “You do not need a formal title to be a leader. Focus on your students, stay curious and keep growing.”
Taren David
Tiara Boyd
LaQuandra Staley
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Five Richmond County School System (RCSS) teachers received a surprise during the school day on Thursday, Aug. 20, when they were named finalists for the 2027 Teacher of the Year award. Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb, 2026 RCSS Teacher of the Year Chef Kanesha Roberts and members of the Teacher of the Year planning committee visited each school to make the announcements.
The 2027 RCSS Teacher of the Year finalists are Debra Crockett of the Performance Learning Center, Dr. Lt. Col. Kurt Barry of T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School, Thomas Gonzales of Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School (RCTCM), Courtney Lawrence of Cross Creek Comprehensive High School and Tameika Stokeling of Freedom Park K-8 School.
“Each of these finalists represents the extraordinary talent, experience and heart our educators bring to their classrooms every day,” said Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb. “Their paths to teaching may look different, but they share a commitment to helping students recognize their potential, discover new opportunities and succeed. We are proud to celebrate them and the impact they are making across our school system.”
Debra Crockett teaches social studies at the Performance Learning Center and has 29 years of teaching experience, including 27 years with RCSS. Crockett previously taught at Jamestown Elementary School and spent 19 years at Hephzibah High School before joining the Performance Learning Center. Throughout her career, she has served in several leadership roles, including social studies department chair, Multi-Tiered System of Supports lead and new teacher mentor. She earned her undergraduate degree from Augusta University and has completed advanced graduate coursework at several universities.
Dr. Lt. Col. Kurt Barry is the senior aerospace science instructor for the Air Force Junior ROTC program at T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School. Barry has 13 years of teaching experience, all with RCSS, and serves as the AFJROTC department chair and a member of the school leadership team. Under his leadership, graduating AFJROTC seniors have maintained a 100% graduation rate, and the program has earned three Outstanding Organization Awards and two Distinguished Unit Awards. Barry holds degrees from San Jose State University, Georgia College & State University and Liberty University.
Thomas Gonzales teaches STEM electronics, energy and power, and foundations of secure information systems at RCTCM. A retired U.S. Army first sergeant, Gonzales has five years of teaching experience, all with RCSS. He began his career teaching fifth grade and computer science at Meadowbrook Elementary School before transitioning to RCTCM. Outside of the classroom he is an assistant coach of the cross country and track and field teams and serves as a Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy advisor, student mentor and CTAE outreach educator. Gonzales holds degrees in technical studies, information technology and cybersecurity from Excelsior University and teaching certifications in engineering and technology, computer science, and cybersecurity.
Courtney Lawrence is an interrelated special education teacher at Cross Creek Comprehensive High School with eight years of teaching experience. A Cross Creek alumna, Lawrence began her teaching career at Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School in 2018, where she later served as special education department chair, before returning to her alma mater as an educator in 2024. Lawrence also serves as Cross Creek’s cheerleading coach and is an active member of several community organizations including Ronald McDonald House Charities. She holds degrees from Paine College, Armstrong Atlantic State University, and Grand Canyon University.
Tameika Stokeling is an Augment Early Intervention Program teacher at Freedom Park K-8 School with 10 years of teaching experience, all with RCSS. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher at Freedom Park before spending five years teaching first grade at Diamond Lakes Elementary School and returning to Freedom Park in 2023. Stokeling now provides targeted literacy and math interventions and has served on her school’s leadership team and as a first-grade chair. She holds three degrees from Augusta University and is pursuing a Doctor of Education at Brenau University.
All school-level Teachers of the Year for the Richmond County School System will be honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Augusta Mariott Convention Center, where the 2027 Richmond County School System Teacher of the Year will be announced.
(AUGUSTA, GA.) — Belair Middle School will be closed on Monday, August 10, 2026, because of an issue involving coolant in the school’s air conditioning system.
The closure is necessary out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety and well-being of students and staff. Maintenance crews will continue to identify and resolve the issue during the closure.
The Richmond County School System anticipates welcoming students and staff back to school Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Families and employees will be notified if the reopening schedule changes.
The safety of students and staff remains the school system’s top priority.
(AUGUSTA, GEORGIA) - Richmond County School System students demonstrated continued academic growth on the 2025-2026 Georgia Milestones assessments, with gains across multiple mathematics, science and social studies assessments.
Systemwide, students improved on End of Course assessments in Algebra: Concepts and Connections, Biology and U.S. History. Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 also showed gains in mathematics on End of Grade assessments, while eighth-grade students improved in science, physical science and social studies.
The results mirror statewide trends announced Thursday by the Georgia Department of Education, which reported continued improvement in mathematics, science and social studies. Richmond County School System students contributed to that progress with gains across multiple grade levels and subject areas.
"These results reflect the hard work taking place every day in our classrooms and the collective commitment of our students, educators, leaders and families," said Dr. Malinda Cobb, superintendent of schools. "While Georgia Milestones is one measure of student achievement, we're encouraged by the progress our students continue to make. We will continue building on this momentum by strengthening instruction and ensuring every student is prepared to thrive, adapt and lead."
The following high schools demonstrated improvement on End of Course assessments:
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Algebra: Concepts and Connections: Academy of Richmond County, George P. Butler Comprehensive High School, Glenn Hills Comprehensive High School, Hephzibah Comprehensive High School, T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School, Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School and Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School.
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Biology: George P. Butler Comprehensive High School, Cross Creek Comprehensive High School, Glenn Hills Comprehensive High School, Hephzibah Comprehensive High School, T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School, Lucy C. Laney Comprehensive High School and Westside Comprehensive High School.
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U.S. History: George P. Butler Comprehensive High School, Glenn Hills Comprehensive High School, T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School and Westside Comprehensive High School.
English language arts assessment results will be released later this fall following the first administration of Georgia Milestones assessments aligned to Georgia's new English language arts standards.
Georgia Milestones assessments are administered each spring to students in grades 3-8 and in select high school courses. The assessments measure student learning and provide educators with information to support instruction and student achievement.