AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Kelly Edge
Role: Physical Therapist
Years with Tift County: 4
Favorite part of the job: Making a meaningful difference in students' lives. I love building relationships with students, watching them grow over the years, and helping them gain the skills and confidence to participate more fully in school.
Hobbies: Spending quality time with my family.
Bucket List: Visit all 50 states, attend a Kenny Chesney concert at Fenway Park.
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Role: Physical Therapist
Years with Tift County: 4
Favorite part of the job: Making a meaningful difference in students' lives. I love building relationships with students, watching them grow over the years, and helping them gain the skills and confidence to participate more fully in school.
Hobbies: Spending quality time with my family.
Bucket List: Visit all 50 states, attend a Kenny Chesney concert at Fenway Park.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Aida Ayala
Role: English Language Learners Support Specialist
Years with Tift County: 8
Favorite part of the job: Helping English Language Learners succeed, overcome language barriers, and collaborating with teachers and the community.
Hobbies: Creating art, reading novels with unexpected plot twists, volunteering with local nonprofits, and spending time with loved ones.
Bucket List: Traveling the world to experience different cultures and learn new languages.
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Role: English Language Learners Support Specialist
Years with Tift County: 8
Favorite part of the job: Helping English Language Learners succeed, overcome language barriers, and collaborating with teachers and the community.
Hobbies: Creating art, reading novels with unexpected plot twists, volunteering with local nonprofits, and spending time with loved ones.
Bucket List: Traveling the world to experience different cultures and learn new languages.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Tiffany Sinyard
Role: Occupational Therapist Assistant
Years with Tift County: 13
Favorite part of the job: I enjoy meeting my therapy students where they are and building on their strengths to improve their quality of life within the school setting.
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, binge watching Christmas movies, and taking naps.
Bucket List: Christmas at the Plaza Hotel in New York City
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Role: Occupational Therapist Assistant
Years with Tift County: 13
Favorite part of the job: I enjoy meeting my therapy students where they are and building on their strengths to improve their quality of life within the school setting.
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, binge watching Christmas movies, and taking naps.
Bucket List: Christmas at the Plaza Hotel in New York City
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Vanda Freeman
Role: School Psychologist
Years with Tift County: 9
Favorite part of the job: Serving the students of my community.
Hobbies: Reading and spending time with my family.
Bucket List: Visit all 50 states and visit a country on each continent.
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Role: School Psychologist
Years with Tift County: 9
Favorite part of the job: Serving the students of my community.
Hobbies: Reading and spending time with my family.
Bucket List: Visit all 50 states and visit a country on each continent.
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Three days! The energy is real, the campuses are ready, and an incredible school year is just around the corner.
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📢 Meet the Teacher Reminders:
--All Tift County schools have a clear bag policy. This will be in effect at Meet the Teacher so plan accordingly.
--Guests attending Meet the Teacher at our middle and high schools will be required to pass through weapons detection upon entry.
Thank you for helping us maintain safe and welcoming schools!
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--All Tift County schools have a clear bag policy. This will be in effect at Meet the Teacher so plan accordingly.
--Guests attending Meet the Teacher at our middle and high schools will be required to pass through weapons detection upon entry.
Thank you for helping us maintain safe and welcoming schools!
#4theT
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Heidi Burns
Role: Director of MTSS
Years with Tift County: 28
Favorite part of the job: I enjoy working alongside teachers and school leaders to ensure every student has the support they need to be successful. Collaborating to remove barriers, strengthen instruction, and create opportunities for all students is the most rewarding part of my work.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring new places through travel. Whether it is a weekend getaway or a new adventure, making memories with the people I love is my favorite way to recharge.
Bucket List: Visit Italy with my family to explore its history, culture, and incredible food while making lifelong memories.
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Role: Director of MTSS
Years with Tift County: 28
Favorite part of the job: I enjoy working alongside teachers and school leaders to ensure every student has the support they need to be successful. Collaborating to remove barriers, strengthen instruction, and create opportunities for all students is the most rewarding part of my work.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring new places through travel. Whether it is a weekend getaway or a new adventure, making memories with the people I love is my favorite way to recharge.
Bucket List: Visit Italy with my family to explore its history, culture, and incredible food while making lifelong memories.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Djana Goss
Role: Director of Secondary Education
Years with Tift County: 4
Favorite part of the job: Working at Tift County Schools provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student achievement by supporting teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders. Through collaboration, innovative professional learning, and the development of high-quality instructional systems, I enjoy helping educators grow, strengthening teaching and learning, and leading initiatives that improve outcomes for all students. The ability to work alongside dedicated colleagues to create lasting, districtwide improvements makes serving TCS both rewarding and purposeful.
Hobbies: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, serving through my church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and giving back to my community. I value opportunities to build meaningful relationships, serve others, and create lasting memories with those I love.
Bucket List: Celebrate an anniversary in Italy or Greece.
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Role: Director of Secondary Education
Years with Tift County: 4
Favorite part of the job: Working at Tift County Schools provides the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student achievement by supporting teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders. Through collaboration, innovative professional learning, and the development of high-quality instructional systems, I enjoy helping educators grow, strengthening teaching and learning, and leading initiatives that improve outcomes for all students. The ability to work alongside dedicated colleagues to create lasting, districtwide improvements makes serving TCS both rewarding and purposeful.
Hobbies: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, serving through my church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and giving back to my community. I value opportunities to build meaningful relationships, serve others, and create lasting memories with those I love.
Bucket List: Celebrate an anniversary in Italy or Greece.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Josh Bowyer
Role: Director of Facilities
Years with Tift County: 6
Favorite part of the job: Making a difference in the lives of teachers, staff, students, and families.
Hobbies: Spending time with his family, which is his #1 priority following his relationship with Christ.
Bucket List: Mountain climbing or visiting Israel, where Christ once walked.
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Role: Director of Facilities
Years with Tift County: 6
Favorite part of the job: Making a difference in the lives of teachers, staff, students, and families.
Hobbies: Spending time with his family, which is his #1 priority following his relationship with Christ.
Bucket List: Mountain climbing or visiting Israel, where Christ once walked.
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💉 Is your chid's immunization record up to date?
The Tift County Health Department will host a School Vaccine Catch-Up Clinic on Thursday, August 20, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome!
This is also a great opportunity to get the vaccinations required for school registration.
📍 305 E. 12th Street, Tifton
📞 For more information, call 229-386-8373.
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The Tift County Health Department will host a School Vaccine Catch-Up Clinic on Thursday, August 20, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome!
This is also a great opportunity to get the vaccinations required for school registration.
📍 305 E. 12th Street, Tifton
📞 For more information, call 229-386-8373.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Joanna Hand
Role: Director of Elementary Education
Years with Tift County: 27
Favorite part of the job: Being part of the work that creates opportunities for every student, teacher, coach, and administrator to learn, grow, and succeed.
Hobbies: Cheering from the sidelines at her children's sporting events and spending quality time with family.
Bucket List: Visiting Hawaii and becoming a published Children’s Author.
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Role: Director of Elementary Education
Years with Tift County: 27
Favorite part of the job: Being part of the work that creates opportunities for every student, teacher, coach, and administrator to learn, grow, and succeed.
Hobbies: Cheering from the sidelines at her children's sporting events and spending quality time with family.
Bucket List: Visiting Hawaii and becoming a published Children’s Author.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Mark Wynn
Role: Director of Safety and Security
Years with Tift County: 6
Favorite part of the job: Serving the community, building relationships with law enforcement partners, and creating a safe environment where students can learn and teachers can teach.
Hobbies: Spending time with family.
Bucket List: Taking a vacation to Belize with his wife.
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Role: Director of Safety and Security
Years with Tift County: 6
Favorite part of the job: Serving the community, building relationships with law enforcement partners, and creating a safe environment where students can learn and teachers can teach.
Hobbies: Spending time with family.
Bucket List: Taking a vacation to Belize with his wife.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Lorenzo Simmons
Role: Director of School Nutrition
Years with Tift County: 6
Favorite part of the job: Serving students, the community, and stakeholders.
Hobbies: Cooking and landscaping.
Bucket List: Going on a tour of the Great Gardens of the World.
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Role: Director of School Nutrition
Years with Tift County: 6
Favorite part of the job: Serving students, the community, and stakeholders.
Hobbies: Cooking and landscaping.
Bucket List: Going on a tour of the Great Gardens of the World.
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📚💙 Support Public Education Day – Thursday, July 30th 💙📚
Public education is strongest when an entire community comes together to support the success of every student.
At Tift County Schools, we are grateful for the support of our staff, parents, families, business partners, and the entire Tift County community. Your encouragement, partnership, and investment in our schools help create opportunities for every student to learn, grow, and achieve.
Together, we are building a brighter future—because student success is a community effort.
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Public education is strongest when an entire community comes together to support the success of every student.
At Tift County Schools, we are grateful for the support of our staff, parents, families, business partners, and the entire Tift County community. Your encouragement, partnership, and investment in our schools help create opportunities for every student to learn, grow, and achieve.
Together, we are building a brighter future—because student success is a community effort.
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📚 See You Today at Meet the Teacher! 💙
Today's the day! We can't wait to welcome our students and families back to Tift County Schools for Meet the Teacher!
Take this opportunity to:
✨ Meet your teachers
🏫 Explore your school
📚 Drop off school supplies (if applicable)
😊 Reconnect with friends
🎉 Get excited for an amazing 2026–2027 school year!
Today's Schedule
🕓 Grades 6–12: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🕔 Pre-K–5: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
If you still need back-to-school information, including school supply lists, registration, transportation, and more, visit:
🌐 www.tiftschools.com/page/back-to-school
We are excited to welcome you back and kick off another incredible year of learning, growth, and success. See you there!
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Today's the day! We can't wait to welcome our students and families back to Tift County Schools for Meet the Teacher!
Take this opportunity to:
✨ Meet your teachers
🏫 Explore your school
📚 Drop off school supplies (if applicable)
😊 Reconnect with friends
🎉 Get excited for an amazing 2026–2027 school year!
Today's Schedule
🕓 Grades 6–12: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🕔 Pre-K–5: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
If you still need back-to-school information, including school supply lists, registration, transportation, and more, visit:
🌐 www.tiftschools.com/page/back-to-school
We are excited to welcome you back and kick off another incredible year of learning, growth, and success. See you there!
#4theT
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Four days until the first bell! Together, we’ll create classrooms where every student belongs, learns, and succeeds.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Rachael Railey
Role: Special Education Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 3
Favorite part of the job: The system's willingness to collaborate and continually focus on student success.
Hobbies: Playing the piano, reading, and gardening.
Bucket List: To travel anywhere.
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Role: Special Education Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 3
Favorite part of the job: The system's willingness to collaborate and continually focus on student success.
Hobbies: Playing the piano, reading, and gardening.
Bucket List: To travel anywhere.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Tammy Slaven
Role: Student Services Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 15
Favorite part of the job: Building relationships with students and their families.
Hobbies: Spending time with her family.
Bucket List: Taking a trip outside of the US.
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Role: Student Services Coordinator
Years with Tift County: 15
Favorite part of the job: Building relationships with students and their families.
Hobbies: Spending time with her family.
Bucket List: Taking a trip outside of the US.
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AO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Juve Elizalde
Role: Assessment Specialist
Years with Tift County: 14 Years
Favorite part of the job: Having the opportunities to learn and become a better educator in several fields.
Hobbies: Spending time with family.
Bucket List: Visiting Hawaii.
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Role: Assessment Specialist
Years with Tift County: 14 Years
Favorite part of the job: Having the opportunities to learn and become a better educator in several fields.
Hobbies: Spending time with family.
Bucket List: Visiting Hawaii.
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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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