News and Events

(AUGUSTA, GEORGIA) –  Caroline Moon, a senior at John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, has been named a semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing her among less than 1% of high school seniors nationwide.

“Caroline’s achievement reflects the dedication, curiosity and commitment to excellence that we encourage in every student,” said Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb. “Earning a place among the nation’s highest-performing students is an incredible accomplishment, and we are proud to celebrate Caroline as she represents Davidson Fine Arts and the Richmond County School System on the national level.”

Moon now has an opportunity to advance to finalist standing and compete for approximately 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million that will be awarded next spring. More than 1.2 million high school juniors from about 20,000 high schools entered the 2027 competition by taking the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which serves as the initial screening for program entrants. Semifinalists represent the highest-scoring entrants in each state.

To advance to finalist standing, Moon and a school official must submit a detailed scholarship application outlining her academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership experience, employment, and honors and awards. Semifinalists must also maintain an outstanding academic record, receive a recommendation from a school official, submit an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm their performance on the qualifying test.

More than 15,000 semifinalists are expected to advance to finalist standing and will be notified in February. National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from the finalist group, with scholarship announcements beginning in April 2027. 

Caroline Moon, senior, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School

(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.

 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.