A former Chattooga County School System teacher, Dr. Elizabeth Anderson has been named executive vice president and chief academic officer at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, effective March 1, according to GNTC President Dr. Heidi Popham.
The Georgia Association of Educators says a House subcommittee has passed HB 1244, legislation aimed at protecting educators’ right to a duty-free lunch and a planning period during the school day.
According to the GAE, the bill would prohibit school districts from waiving duty-free lunch and planning periods except in “extreme emergencies” or when a teacher voluntarily agrees to give up that time in exchange for additional compensation.
Supporters say the measure is intended to reinforce professional working conditions and ensure educators have dedicated time to prepare lessons and recharge during the school day. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Akbar Ali.
GAE President Lisa Morgan, a kindergarten teacher, addressed the subcommittee in support of the proposal prior to the vote. The association noted that another educators’ organization urged the committee to send the bill to a study committee shortly before the measure was approved.
HB 1244 now moves forward in the legislative process as lawmakers continue debate under the Gold Dome.
A Chattooga County student was part of a gold medal-winning team as Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference, held Feb. 19–21 in Atlanta.
Chattooga High School Career and Technical Education students are in Atlanta this week competing at one of the state’s largest Career and Technical Education events.
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is now accepting applications for the 2026–2027 Georgia Pre-K Teachers of the Year program.
The University of Georgia School of Medicine has reached a major milestone in its development, receiving preliminary accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the national accrediting body for medical education programs. This designation allows UGA to begin recruiting and admitting its inaugural class of medical students, with plans to start instruction in Fall 2026.
Shorter University in Rome has announced a nationwide search for its next president, following the tenure of President Don Dowless. The university is seeking a Christ-centered, visionary leader to guide the school forward, noting the search as a chance to reaffirm its mission to “Transform Lives through Christ.”
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has announced its President’s List and Dean’s List honorees for the Fall 2025 semester, and Chattooga County students are well represented among those recognized for outstanding academic achievement.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College has announced its top student and instructor honors for 2026, naming Noelia Sargento, a Business Management student from Rossville, as its Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner, and Trevor Roberts, clinical coordinator of Ultrasound Programs and instructor of Adult Echocardiography, as the college’s Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year.
Governor Brian Kemp has announced new transfer agreements between the Technical College System of Georgia and Mercer University, creating smoother pathways for students to move from technical colleges into four-year degree programs while strengthening Georgia’s workforce.