AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Larry Howard
Role: Network Services Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 11
Favorite part of the job: Solving problems that help students and staff.
Hobbies: Working outside with his tractor.
Bucket List: Traveling to Australia.
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Role: Network Services Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 11
Favorite part of the job: Solving problems that help students and staff.
Hobbies: Working outside with his tractor.
Bucket List: Traveling to Australia.
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📣 Tomorrow's the Day!
We're excited to welcome our students and families for Meet the Teacher tomorrow, Thursday, July 30!
🕓 Grades 6–12: 4:00–6:00 PM
🕔 PreK–5: 5:00–7:00 PM
Come meet your teachers, see your classrooms, reconnect with friends, and get ready for an incredible 2026–2027 school year.
If you haven't already, check out our Back to School webpage for everything you need to start the year strong:
🌐 www.tiftschools.com/page/back-to-school
We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. Let's make this our best year yet!
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We're excited to welcome our students and families for Meet the Teacher tomorrow, Thursday, July 30!
🕓 Grades 6–12: 4:00–6:00 PM
🕔 PreK–5: 5:00–7:00 PM
Come meet your teachers, see your classrooms, reconnect with friends, and get ready for an incredible 2026–2027 school year.
If you haven't already, check out our Back to School webpage for everything you need to start the year strong:
🌐 www.tiftschools.com/page/back-to-school
We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. Let's make this our best year yet!
#4theT
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High five—we’re five days away! Get ready to reconnect with friends, meet your teachers, and start a brand-new chapter on August 3.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Anna Mendoza
Role: Central Support
Years with Tift County: 2.5
Favorite part of the job: Helping my Spanish speaking community by translating.
Hobbies: Shopping.
Bucket List: Visit different countries.
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Role: Central Support
Years with Tift County: 2.5
Favorite part of the job: Helping my Spanish speaking community by translating.
Hobbies: Shopping.
Bucket List: Visit different countries.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Shakia Rance
Role: School Nutrition Lead Manager
Years with Tift County: 7
Favorite part of the job: I love knowing that for some of these kids, the meals we serve are the most stable, nutritious food they get all day.
Hobbies: Spending time with family.
Bucket List: Swim with dolphins.
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Role: School Nutrition Lead Manager
Years with Tift County: 7
Favorite part of the job: I love knowing that for some of these kids, the meals we serve are the most stable, nutritious food they get all day.
Hobbies: Spending time with family.
Bucket List: Swim with dolphins.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Michelle Archer
Role: District Behavior Specialist
Years with Tift County: 2
Favorite part of the job: Making a meaningful impact across the district and partnering with amazing staff to solve problems and create positive learning environments. Hobbies: Spending time with her daughter, getting lost in a good book, and recharging outdoors at the lake or beach.
Bucket List: Exploring more cities across the United States.
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Role: District Behavior Specialist
Years with Tift County: 2
Favorite part of the job: Making a meaningful impact across the district and partnering with amazing staff to solve problems and create positive learning environments. Hobbies: Spending time with her daughter, getting lost in a good book, and recharging outdoors at the lake or beach.
Bucket List: Exploring more cities across the United States.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Kim Winters
Role: Senior Central Registrar
Years with Tift County: 27
Favorite part of the job: Building relationships with staff, students, and parents, and watching students succeed beyond the classroom.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, hanging out with her two pups, and fishing in the flats.
Bucket List: Fishing in Alaska and the Florida Keys.
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Role: Senior Central Registrar
Years with Tift County: 27
Favorite part of the job: Building relationships with staff, students, and parents, and watching students succeed beyond the classroom.
Hobbies: Spending time with family, hanging out with her two pups, and fishing in the flats.
Bucket List: Fishing in Alaska and the Florida Keys.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Marcus L. Shelton
Role: CHINS Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 1
Favorite part of the job: The people he gets to work with.
Hobbies: Playing disc golf.
Bucket List: Visiting the Galápagos Islands.
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Role: CHINS Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 1
Favorite part of the job: The people he gets to work with.
Hobbies: Playing disc golf.
Bucket List: Visiting the Galápagos Islands.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Jessica Moore
Role: Administrative Assistant to Business Operations
Years with Tift County: 2
Favorite part of the job: Improving efficiency, streamlining processes, and supporting the operations that help our school system thrive.
Hobbies: Long-distance running to stay active, cooking to bring people together, and reading for personal growth.
Bucket List: Restoring her old home to preserve its character and create a gathering place for future generations.
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Role: Administrative Assistant to Business Operations
Years with Tift County: 2
Favorite part of the job: Improving efficiency, streamlining processes, and supporting the operations that help our school system thrive.
Hobbies: Long-distance running to stay active, cooking to bring people together, and reading for personal growth.
Bucket List: Restoring her old home to preserve its character and create a gathering place for future generations.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Donna Cooper
Role: Administrative Support CTAE
Years with Tift County: 4.5
Favorite part of the job: Working with a great team of dedicated educators and interacting with students to help create a positive learning environment.
Hobbies: Going to the beach, riding their Ranger, watching movies, and watching her grandchildren play sports.
Bucket List: Seeing the Northern Lights in person.
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Role: Administrative Support CTAE
Years with Tift County: 4.5
Favorite part of the job: Working with a great team of dedicated educators and interacting with students to help create a positive learning environment.
Hobbies: Going to the beach, riding their Ranger, watching movies, and watching her grandchildren play sports.
Bucket List: Seeing the Northern Lights in person.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Michele Nobles
Role: Pre-K Specialist
Years with Tift County: 3
Favorite part of the job: I enjoy working with supportive coworkers who make coming to work enjoyable every day, and I also appreciate the positive relationships we build with students, families, and the community.
Hobbies: I enjoy hanging with my family.
Bucket List: I would love to go to Italy.
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Role: Pre-K Specialist
Years with Tift County: 3
Favorite part of the job: I enjoy working with supportive coworkers who make coming to work enjoyable every day, and I also appreciate the positive relationships we build with students, families, and the community.
Hobbies: I enjoy hanging with my family.
Bucket List: I would love to go to Italy.
#4theT
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📚 School Hours for 2026–2027
Please review the school hours for the upcoming school year:
🏫 Grades K–5
Car Rider Drop-Off Begins: 7:05 a.m.
Tardy Bell: 7:35 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:00 p.m.
🏫 Grades 6–12
Car Rider Drop-Off Begins: 7:40 a.m.
Tardy Bell: 8:20 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:45 p.m.
Please note: Car rider drop-off start times may vary slightly by school. Families should check with their child’s school for specific arrival procedures.
We look forward to another great year of collaborating, learning and achieving together!
#4theT
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Please review the school hours for the upcoming school year:
🏫 Grades K–5
Car Rider Drop-Off Begins: 7:05 a.m.
Tardy Bell: 7:35 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:00 p.m.
🏫 Grades 6–12
Car Rider Drop-Off Begins: 7:40 a.m.
Tardy Bell: 8:20 a.m.
Dismissal: 3:45 p.m.
Please note: Car rider drop-off start times may vary slightly by school. Families should check with their child’s school for specific arrival procedures.
We look forward to another great year of collaborating, learning and achieving together!
#4theT
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Six days remain! Backpacks are getting packed, classrooms are taking shape, and the excitement is building across Tift County Schools.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Kandace Franks
Role: Accounting Assistant (payroll and leave)
Years with Tift County: 3
Favorite part of the job: I enjoy being part of a school system that serves our community and supports students and families. Building relationships with coworkers and knowing that the work I do helps make a difference is the most rewarding part of my job.
Hobbies: When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my family. Whether we’re enjoying a quiet day at home, making memories together, or cheering each other on through life’s milestones, family is what means the most to me. I also enjoy being creative and finding little moments to relax and recharge.
Bucket List: One thing on my bucket list is to take a memorable family vacation to Alaska to experience its incredible scenery and hopefully see the Northern Lights together.
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Role: Accounting Assistant (payroll and leave)
Years with Tift County: 3
Favorite part of the job: I enjoy being part of a school system that serves our community and supports students and families. Building relationships with coworkers and knowing that the work I do helps make a difference is the most rewarding part of my job.
Hobbies: When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my family. Whether we’re enjoying a quiet day at home, making memories together, or cheering each other on through life’s milestones, family is what means the most to me. I also enjoy being creative and finding little moments to relax and recharge.
Bucket List: One thing on my bucket list is to take a memorable family vacation to Alaska to experience its incredible scenery and hopefully see the Northern Lights together.
#4theT
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Jenny Varnadoe
Role: School Nutrition Financial Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 19
Favorite part of the job: Seeing the kids light up when they are served their favorite meals.
Hobbies: Cooking dinner for her family and grandkids.
Bucket List: Visiting Hawaii and taking her mom to see Noah's Ark in Kentucky.
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Role: School Nutrition Financial Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 19
Favorite part of the job: Seeing the kids light up when they are served their favorite meals.
Hobbies: Cooking dinner for her family and grandkids.
Bucket List: Visiting Hawaii and taking her mom to see Noah's Ark in Kentucky.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Jennifer Cooper
Role: Federal Programs Administrative Assistant
Years with Tift County: 7
Favorite part of the job: Having quality time to spend with family during school holidays and breaks.
Hobbies: Walking, reading, and heading to the beach or Disney World.
Bucket List: Visiting Hawaii one day.
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Role: Federal Programs Administrative Assistant
Years with Tift County: 7
Favorite part of the job: Having quality time to spend with family during school holidays and breaks.
Hobbies: Walking, reading, and heading to the beach or Disney World.
Bucket List: Visiting Hawaii one day.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Pam Jones
Role: Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Operations
Years with Tift County: 13
Favorite part of the job: The daily challenges, always learning something new, and the positive camaraderie with work associates.
Hobbies: Resting, reading, traveling with her husband, and spending time with her family, especially her grands.
Bucket List: A return trip to Italy to explore more of the country.
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Role: Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Operations
Years with Tift County: 13
Favorite part of the job: The daily challenges, always learning something new, and the positive camaraderie with work associates.
Hobbies: Resting, reading, traveling with her husband, and spending time with her family, especially her grands.
Bucket List: A return trip to Italy to explore more of the country.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Berenice Zarco
Role: Central Bookkeeper
Years with Tift County: 9
Favorite part of the job: Watching students grow and learn through the years. Hobbies: Traveling during her time off.
Bucket List: Taking a ride in a hot air balloon.
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Role: Central Bookkeeper
Years with Tift County: 9
Favorite part of the job: Watching students grow and learn through the years. Hobbies: Traveling during her time off.
Bucket List: Taking a ride in a hot air balloon.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Carrie Bowyer
Role: Lead Bookkeeper
Years with Tift County: 5
Favorite part of the job: Doing work she enjoys while having the flexibility to be there for her children's important milestones and activities.
Hobbies: Antique shopping and being with family.
Bucket List: Taking a trip to Ireland, Scotland, and England.
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Role: Lead Bookkeeper
Years with Tift County: 5
Favorite part of the job: Doing work she enjoys while having the flexibility to be there for her children's important milestones and activities.
Hobbies: Antique shopping and being with family.
Bucket List: Taking a trip to Ireland, Scotland, and England.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: DeShundra Henderson
Role: Central Bookkeeper
Years with Tift County: 14
Favorite part of the job: Knowing that her behind-the-scenes work helps support students, teachers, and schools.
Hobbies: Traveling and making memories with family and friends.
Bucket List: Taking a trip to the Maldives.
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Role: Central Bookkeeper
Years with Tift County: 14
Favorite part of the job: Knowing that her behind-the-scenes work helps support students, teachers, and schools.
Hobbies: Traveling and making memories with family and friends.
Bucket List: Taking a trip to the Maldives.
#4theT
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