BOLD Alumni

Nakia Hooks, a 2019 graduate of Apalachee High School, also returned to AHS, where she now serves students as a Special Education Teacher.

”Working in the school system that helped raise me is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to give back, inspire growth and help shape the future of the community I call home,” said Hooks. 

Matthew Cummings graduated from Apalachee High School in 2003 and now serves as a Special Education Paraprofessional at AHS. For Cummings, returning to his former school has allowed him to work alongside some of the same educators who once taught and encouraged him.

“The most important thing about working for Barrow is that I’ve been lucky enough to spend most of my time at my high school with some of the teachers I personally had as a student. It’s encouraging to have people who were mentors growing up become co-workers and friends who still give advice and, especially, support during difficult times,” said Cummings.

Meredith Owens, a 1997 graduate of Winder-Barrow High School, now serves her alma mater as the guidance secretary.

“Working in the same school provides me with the opportunity to give back to the school system that helped shape my educational experience,” said Owens. 

Jodi Sorrells, a 1996 graduate of Winder-Barrow High School, now serves as the Instructional Coach at Kennedy Elementary School.

“Being an educator in the Barrow County community is something I am incredibly grateful for. I grew up in Barrow County and attended Bethlehem Elementary School, Winder-Barrow Middle School, and Winder-Barrow High School, graduating in 1996. After becoming an educator, I was fortunate enough to return to my community and spend 21 years as a classroom teacher, at Kennedy Elementary School. For the past four years, I have had the privilege of serving KES as the Instructional Coach, bringing my total career in education to 25 years. Barrow County means so much to me, and the people in this community have played an important role in shaping who I am. I was blessed with so many wonderful teachers who influenced my educational experience—not only in the classroom, but through the lessons they taught me about relationships, perseverance, kindness, and community. Those experiences have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to influence the educator I am today,” said Sorrells. 

Bethaney Barber, a 2010 graduate of Winder-Barrow High School, now serves the Westside Middle School community as a sixth-grade science teacher. 

“I know firsthand the impact that educators in this community can have, because I was once on the receiving end of it. Now I have the opportunity to be that person for someone else,” said Barber. 

Ashley Bailey, a 2001 graduate of Winder-Barrow High School, now serves as an Instructional Coach at Arts & Innovation Magnet Program. 

“From a student at Holsenbeck Elementary, to Winder-Barrow Middle School, to a proud graduate of Winder-Barrow High School, Barrow County Schools has been my home for a lifetime. Now, in my 21st year serving as an educator and Instructional Coach for the AIM Program, I am honored to give back to the school system that helped shape who I am. This community invested in me, and it is a privilege to invest in the success, growth, and future of its students every day,” said Bailey.