Calhoun, GA — Cadets from multiple North Georgia high schools recently conducted a joint leadership and career exploration visit to Fort Benning, one of the U.S. Army’s premier training installations. Participating programs included Gordon County Schools JROTC, Ridgeland High School JROTC, and LaFayette High School JROTC.
The collaborative visit brought together cadets from across the region to observe Army training, tour key facilities, and engage directly with active-duty soldiers. Through these experiences, cadets gained insight into military leadership, teamwork, and the wide range of career opportunities available through military service.
During the visit, cadets observed a rappel demonstration at the Air Assault School and observed instruction on harness systems at the Airborne School. They also spoke with Army Drill Instructors about the physical requirements and expectations of Basic Combat Training, gaining a realistic understanding of the discipline and fitness needed to succeed. The trip concluded with a tour of the National Infantry Museum, where cadets explored the history and legacy of the United States Army Infantry.
“This joint visit allowed our cadets to not only learn from the Army, but also from each other,” said Colonel Wallace Steinbrecher, Senior Army Instructor for Gordon County JROTC. “By bringing multiple programs together, we strengthened teamwork, shared perspectives, and reinforced the leadership principles we teach every day.”
Cadets observed live demonstrations and participated in discussions focused on decision-making, accountability, and goal setting. The visit provided a practical extension of classroom instruction, allowing students to see leadership applied in real-world environments.
“Experiences like this give cadets a clearer understanding of what it means to serve and lead,” said Lieutenant Colonel Mike Mansi, Senior Army Instructor at LaFayette High School. “They leave with a stronger sense of purpose and a better appreciation for the discipline required to succeed.”
The opportunity to interact with soldiers and leaders at Fort Benning also allowed cadets to explore both military and civilian career pathways while building confidence in their own leadership potential.
“Our cadets benefit tremendously from seeing leadership in action,” said Major Jenna Turnipseed, Senior Army Instructor at Ridgeland High School. “This experience reinforces the values of responsibility, resilience, and teamwork that are central to the JROTC program.”
The joint visit reflects the continued commitment of North Georgia JROTC programs to develop responsible citizens and leaders of character through meaningful, real-world learning opportunities.
For more information about these JROTC programs, please contact your local high school or JROTC department.

Bring your passion for music into the classroom and inspire the next generation of performers and creators! Sonoraville Elementary is seeking a dynamic and dedicated Music Teacher to engage students in meaningful musical experiences while supporting their academic and personal growth.
In this full-time position, you’ll create a positive and energetic learning environment where students develop musical skills, confidence, and creativity. You’ll plan and deliver engaging lessons, assess student progress, collaborate with colleagues and families, and help students shine through performances and daily instruction.
What You’ll Love About This Role:
- Share your love of music every day through singing, instruments, and performance
- Build a fun, creative classroom that students look forward to
- Be part of concerts and school events that showcase student talent
- Work alongside supportive staff, families, and the community
Position Details:
- Full-time, 10-month (183-day) contract
- Focus on student growth in both musical and interpersonal skills
- Opportunity to make a lasting impact on students’ lives
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Valid Georgia teaching certification
If you’re ready to lead, inspire, and make music a meaningful part of students’ lives, apply today!

Join Gordon County Schools and play a vital role in keeping our students safe! We’re looking for a skilled and dependable Mechanic Technician I to maintain and repair our fleet of school buses and district vehicles.
In this full-time, year-round position, you’ll diagnose issues, perform repairs, and carry out preventive maintenance to ensure vehicles are safe, reliable, and road-ready. You’ll also respond to road calls, complete inspections, and keep accurate service records.
What We Offer:
Competitive salary: $43,787 – $65,410 per year
Stable, 12-month (229-day) position
Meaningful work supporting student transportation and safety
Opportunities to grow your mechanical and technical skills
What You’ll Need:
Experience in vehicle maintenance (preferred)
Willingness to obtain and maintain a Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus endorsements
Clean driving record and ability to pass required screenings
Your own basic hand tools
If you’re a hands-on problem solver who takes pride in quality work and wants to make a difference in your community, apply today! Visit: https://gcbe.schoolspring.com/

Our bus drivers are often the first and last faces students see during the school day, and they play a vital role in ensuring a safe, positive start and end to each student’s day. Their dedication, care, and commitment do not go unnoticed.
We are grateful for our bus drivers and all they do to support our students, schools, and community. Thank you for your service!
#ExtraordinaryGCS

🌷🐦☀️ Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and the May menus are ready! Don't miss out on our special Cinco de Mayo menu with all kinds of Mexican cuisine favorites. And then, before we know it, it will be the last day of school! But you can still enjoy our breakfasts and lunches during Summer Vacation, because Summer Feeding starts on Monday, June 1st. 🌞🌞🌞
You can also view all menus on the Menus page of our Gordon County Schools website.
For visual accessibility, you can go directly to all-text menus at the following link: Accessible Menus - Breakfast and Lunch







From greeting families and supporting staff to managing countless details behind the scenes, our administrative professionals play a vital role in the success of our district.
We are grateful for their hard work, professionalism, and commitment to serving our schools and community. Thank you for all you do!
#ExtraordinaryGCS

#ExtraordinaryGCS

Mrs. Stamey was celebrated today by Superintendent Alice Mashburn alongside her school leaders, Principal Kelly Rampy and Assistant Principal Nicole Burgess, as well as her 5th grade team.
A dedicated educator since 2009, Mrs. Stamey currently teaches math, science, and social studies. Throughout her career, she has also served students as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Sonoraville Elementary and as an Early Intervention teacher at W.L. Swain Elementary. Beyond the classroom, she has taken on leadership roles including Grade Level Leader of Leaders and teacher mentor, while also giving back through community service with the Voluntary Action Center and United Way.
Mrs. Stamey believes compassion is key to meeting the challenges of today’s classrooms. She works daily to ensure her students feel safe, valued, and ready to learn, an approach that has made a lasting impact on both student achievement and school culture.
Her commitment to student growth, character development, and community involvement makes her truly deserving of this honor. She will now represent Gordon County Schools as the District Teacher of the Year for the upcoming school year and apply for Georgia Teacher of the Year.
Gordon County Schools congratulates Mrs. Stamey on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her continued service, leadership, and dedication to educational excellence in our school system.



From reading with students and assisting in classrooms to supporting events and mentoring, our volunteers make a meaningful difference every day. Their generosity and commitment help strengthen our schools and create more opportunities for our students.
We are grateful for each of our volunteers and the positive impact they have across our district. Thank you for all you do!
#ExtraordinaryGCS

First, Post 6 board member Christie Fox accepted her nomination to become the new Vice Chairperson of the Board. Mrs. Fox’s willingness to step into this leadership role reflects her continued commitment to the students, families, and staff of Gordon County Schools. As a dedicated board member, she has consistently demonstrated thoughtful leadership, a strong understanding of governance, and a strong focus on supporting student success.
The Board then accepted the nomination and appointment of Mrs. Jennifer Dixon to fill the Post 4 vacancy.
Mrs. Dixon brings a deep and personal connection to Gordon County Schools as a lifelong member of the community, a proud alumna, and a parent of a current student. She and her husband, Keith Dixon, have been married for 27 years and are both graduates of Gordon Central High School. Their son, Sam, is a senior at Sonoraville High School, further strengthening her investment in the success of the school system.
With 27 years of experience in education, Mrs. Dixon has served in K-12 classrooms and now works in higher education within the Technical College System of Georgia. Her career provides a comprehensive understanding of the full educational journey from early learning through career readiness.
She currently serves as Assistant Dean of Public Service and Program Director of Early Childhood Education at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. In this role, she provides instructional leadership, oversees program quality and accreditation, manages budgets, supervises faculty, and works closely with community and school system partners to strengthen educational pathways.
Mrs. Dixon brings strengths in instructional leadership, strategic planning, data-informed decision-making, policy and governance, and a strong commitment to accountability and responsible stewardship of resources. She is passionate about building partnerships and ensuring all decisions remain focused on students.
Her perspective bridges K-12 and technical education, with a clear focus on preparing students not only for graduation, but for meaningful careers and lifelong success.
Mrs. Dixon is committed to serving with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering focus on what is best for the students, families, faculty, and staff of Gordon County Schools.
We congratulate Mrs. Fox on her appointment to Vice Chairperson and welcome Mrs. Dixon to our Board of Education.

First, we recognized our 2026 valedictorians and salutatorians. Gordon Central High School's valedictorian is Keira Bryson, who will attend the University of Georgia to major in Elementary Education. Sonoraville High School's valedictorian is Rushi Patel, who will attend Georgia Tech to major in Finance. Sonoraville High School's salutatorian is Morgan Guyton, who will attend the University of Georgia to major in English. Gordon Central High School's salutatorian is Seth Kolterman, who will attend the United States Air Force Academy.
We also recognized Zillionaire Li Ou, a Gordon Central freshman, for earning 1st place in the 9th–10th grade animation category at the state Technology Competition. Special thanks to his teacher and sponsor, Heather Stodghill, and to Instructional Technology Coordinator Whitney Prather for supporting student success across the district with this competition.
Finally, we recognized our 2026 STAR Students and STAR Teachers. Sonoraville High School’s 2026 STAR Student is Morgan Guyton. She selected Sonoraville High School science teacher Samantha Watson as her STAR Teacher because of Mrs. Watson’s passion for science, ability to teach hard concepts, and dedication to her students. Morgan loves how Mrs. Watson builds relationships while teaching with rigor.
Gordon Central High School's 2026 STAR Student is Seth Kolterman. He selected Gordon Central High School English teacher Shannon Rainwater as his STAR Teacher because she taught him how to think critically about literary works and to write efficiently for competitions. Seth appreciates the impact Mrs. Rainwater has had on him with understanding literature.
We are incredibly proud of these students and the educators who have helped shape their success!
#ExtraordinaryGCS







Mrs. Massengill currently serves as assistant principal at Gordon Central High School, where she has supported students, teachers, and families for the past six years. In her role, she has led curriculum, assessment, and instructional improvement initiatives; coordinated state and national assessments; and supported student discipline and overall school operations.
Prior to becoming assistant principal at Gordon Central, Mrs. Massengill served for 27 years in education, including 25 years in Gordon County Schools, with experience at both Sonoraville Middle School and Sonoraville High School. Her previous roles include instructional specialist and classroom teacher, as well as coaching for more than half of her career. Throughout her professional journey, she has been committed to servant leadership, student-centered decision making, and fostering positive, supportive school cultures.
Mrs. Massengill holds a Leadership Endorsement from the University of West Georgia and advanced degrees in instruction, curriculum, and education from the University of West Georgia, Piedmont College, and North Georgia College & State University.
“I am a proud 1995 graduate of Gordon Central High School and am deeply honored to serve this school and community as principal,” Mrs. Massengill said. “Gordon Central is my home, and I am committed to supporting our students and staff while continuing the tradition of excellence that defines this school.”
Mrs. Massengill will succeed Dr. Amy Parker, who is retiring after dedicating her entire career to serving Gordon County Schools. Gordon County Schools thanks Dr. Parker for her leadership and lasting impact on the Gordon Central High School community.

Mr. Rodriguez brings nearly 18 years of experience in education, with previous roles in school counseling, classroom instruction, program leadership, and student support. He currently serves as a school counselor at Gordon Central High School, where he supports academic progress, registration, scheduling, family engagement, and schoolwide initiatives.
Previously, Mr. Rodriguez served as a Spanish teacher and spent several years as a band director, building strong programs, leading teams, and strengthening school-community connections. He was named Ashworth Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2014.
As a bilingual educator, Mr. Rodriguez is known for his collaborative leadership, commitment to students and families, and dedication to fostering a positive, student-centered school culture. He is excited to become a member of the Cardinal community and serve the families of Red Bud.
“I’m very thankful for my time at Gordon Central because it has shaped me both personally and professionally. It’s a school I care deeply about,” said Mr. Rodriguez. “At the same time, this opportunity at Red Bud felt like the right next step for me. I’m excited to expand my experience in the elementary setting, continue growing as a leader, and serve the students, families, and staff of the Red Bud community.”

Mr. Bryant currently serves as Transition Center Coordinator for Gordon County Schools, where he oversees student discipline, academics, testing, and daily operations while supervising staff and supporting student success.
He brings a wide range of experience in education, having served in both elementary and middle school settings. Mr. Bryant began his career with Gordon County Schools in 2008 at Gordon Central High School. His background includes roles in special education, physical education, and general classroom instruction.
In addition to his classroom experience, Mr. Bryant has demonstrated strong leadership through his work as athletic director and head football coach at Red Bud Middle School from 2018 to 2024. In these roles, he coordinated athletic programs, supervised staff, and contributed to schoolwide decision-making and communication.
“Red Bud Middle School is truly a special place filled with exceptional students, dedicated staff, and a strong sense of community,” said Mr. Bryant. “I am honored and excited to return, and I look forward to reconnecting with familiar faces while also building new relationships. Together, I am confident we will continue to create an environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed.”

Ms. Lee currently serves as Special Education Coordinator for the district. In this position, she has worked closely with schools and families to ensure students receive the services and support they need to succeed. She has helped develop Individualized Education Plans, ensured compliance with state and federal regulations, provided staff training, and implemented data-driven instructional practices.
With two decades of experience in education, including 18 years as a speech-language pathologist, Ms. Lee has supported students from early childhood through high school. Her work with a wide range of learning and communication needs, both in educational and clinical settings, exemplifies her dedication to student success.
Ms. Lee will succeed Mrs. Amy Beason as Director of Special Education. Gordon County Schools thanks Mrs. Beason for her leadership and dedication to our school system and community.

#ExtraordinaryGCS

Assistant principals play a vital role in supporting students, staff, and families each day. From leading instruction and maintaining a positive school culture to ensuring safety and building relationships, their leadership helps our schools run smoothly and successfully.
We are grateful for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for all you do!
#ExtraordinaryGCS

Our school librarians do so much more than manage books. They inspire a love of reading, support research and technology skills, and create welcoming spaces where students can explore, learn, and grow.
Thank you for everything you do!
#ExtraordinaryGCS

The SHS Construction class recently visited Mrs. Stamey’s 5th grade science class at SES to teach students about electrical circuits. During the visit, they explained the different parts of a circuit, how to build one, and the function of each component. Students then participated in a hands-on activity where they created their own circuits and tested them. By completing a closed circuit, they were able to see electricity in action as their light bulbs lit up!
We are so proud of our students for sharing their knowledge, leading by example, and inspiring future learners!
#ExtraordinaryGCS #ExtraordinarySES #ExtraordinarySHS

