HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools named Brandi Neal, director of choral studies at McDonough High School, as the district’s 2024 Teach of the Year.

“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to be named the 2024 Henry County Schools Teacher of the Year,” Neal said. “This moment is beyond what I could have imagined, and I could not have achieved it alone. My students’ success is a direct result of incredible support from the faculty, staff, and leadership at McDonough High School, as well as the vision and guidance of Henry County Schools leadership.”

Superintendent Dr. John Pace III, Board Chair Sophe Pope (Dist. 4), Vice Chair Annette Edwards (Dist. 2), board members Dr. Pam Nutt (Dist. 1) and Holly Cobb (Dist. 3), 2023 TOTY Richard Postell, other HCS personnel, and guests attended the Oct. 3 ceremony at the McDonough Performing Arts Center.

The TOTYs, which represent the district’s largest celebration of teachers, honored 54 exceptional educators, including Neal, who were named Teacher of the Year for their respective schools.

Following an extensive evaluation period that spanned several months, the selection committee narrowed the field to six semifinalists who became contenders for the district’s TOTY award.

“The work teachers do is some of the most challenging, yet some of the most rewarding,” said Dr. Pace. “When we talk about heroes, we often think of doctors, police officers, firefighters, and athletes – for good reason. However, teachers stand right alongside these heroes. That’s why it’s so important that we take opportunities like tonight’s Teacher of the Year ceremony to celebrate our extraordinary educators. Thank you all for your dedicated service to Henry County Schools.”

Neal’s demonstration of instructional excellence and exemplary leadership contributed to her selection for the district’s top honor.

“Thank you for believing in the power of education and creating an environment where we can all thrive,” Neal stated. “To my colleagues, your passion and dedication inspire me every day. You push me to grow as a teacher, and this honor is as much a reflection of you as it is of my career. I also want to acknowledge that this entire ceremony celebrates all Teacher of the Year candidates. Each of you represents the very best of our profession, and I am extremely proud to stand alongside you.”  

Neal has served as a choral director for the past seven years, but her journey toward excellence in music began at age nine when she started singing in church and taking piano lessons. Over the years, she perfected her craft and pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance at Bethune-Cookman University.

Neal’s teachers not only fueled her passion for music and performance but also inspired her to become an educator and similarly motivate her students to pursue and excel in their musical aspirations.

Her talents and expertise in chorus, performance, and teaching have yielded impressive accolades for McDonough High School. Under her leadership and guidance, in just two years, her students have won several choral competitions and received numerous awards. The piano and chorus teacher has expanded opportunities for her students, with her ensembles consistently earning Superior and Excellent ratings.

Last year, the MHS Warhawk Singers earned straight Superior ratings at the OrlandoFest Choir Competition. Neal’s choir was one of 40 middle and high school bands and choirs representing HCS at the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluations in March of this year, receiving Superior ratings in the evaluations.

Neal and the MHS Warhawk Singers also won the school’s first Georgia High School Association Literary Regional Championship (Quartet) and earned straight golds at the Southern Star Music Festival in April. Her students were selected as the district’s first Governor’s Honors Program finalists in fine arts and altogether have received more than $300,000 in music scholarships.

The MHS Warhawk Singers have performed at prestigious local and national events, including the Washington, D.C. National Memorial Day Festival, Georgia Department of Education’s Federal Programs Conference, City of McDonough’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, and twice at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York.

Neal advocates for fine arts programs in schools, highlighting benefits to students’ overall academic performance. She inspires students to reach their full potential, and her engaged learning techniques enable them to develop leadership and teamwork skills.

She also ensures her students benefit from a comprehensive education by immersing them in the history and evolution of each discipline. Her classes also go beyond chorus and piano instruction, as she intersperses gems of inspiration and positive reinforcements throughout each session. 

“Watching my students grow into confident, capable individuals is the greatest reward I could ask for,” Neal added. “Congratulations to all the Henry County Schools Teachers of the Year. Let’s continue to work tirelessly for our students, and as we return to our schools, let us be ready to inspire and empower other teachers to reach their full potential. Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity. I am deeply grateful.”

Neal is also commended for her leadership skills and collaborative spirit, in part because of the additional roles she assumes, including serving as the school’s Swim Head Coach, Fine Arts Department Chair, Multi-Tiered System of Supports/Literary Chair, Student Support Team Co-Chair, and HCS High School Chorus Lead. She is also a member of the HCS Fine Arts Support Team.

Neal was recently selected for HCS’ A.S.P.I.R.E leadership development program. She received the Georgia Department of Education Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation for Outstanding Commitment to Students earlier this year.

“It is an honor to celebrate Ms. Brandi Neal,” said MHS Principal Monica Blasingame. “She has made a profound impact on her students and our school community. Ms. Neal’s unique ability to inspire a love of music in her students goes beyond teaching technical skills – she fosters their confidence, creativity, and self-expression. In her classroom, students feel seen, valued, and empowered to share their voices through song. Her leadership has strengthened our programs, uplifted our students, and enriched our school culture. We are fortunate to have her as part of our school family. Congratulations, Ms. Neal!”

In addition to Neal receiving the district and high school level awards, Sarah Nell Griffis, a math/algebra teacher at Ola Middle School was named Teacher of the Year at the middle school level, and Bonita Stewart, a physical education teacher at Mt. Carmel Elementary, won Teacher of the Year at the elementary school level.

The other semifinalists were Christine Jones, a Gifted teacher at Impact Academy Elementary, Dr. Adrienne Glass, an English Language Arts teacher at Woodland Middle School, and Elbretta Carpenter, a cosmetology teacher at the Academy for Advanced Studies.

“I am incredibly proud of the caliber of teachers in Henry County Schools,” said Board Chair Pope. “Those recognized tonight for their dedication to student success are a wonderful representation of the outstanding educators in schools across the district. We are grateful for their hard work and commitment to making a difference for every child, every day. Congratulations to all our TOTY winners.”

Premier sponsor Georgia United Credit Union presented Neal, Griffis, and Stewart with monetary awards. HCS received additional event support through generous contributions from Chic & Shabby, Martha Mae’s Floral & Gifts, Publix Supermarkets, RAM-Tech, Southern Belle Farm, Southern Grace Hospice, and Sun Com Mobile.

Click here to view the live-streamed ceremony. Below is the complete list of all the district’s 2024 Teacher of the Year honorees.

Henry County Schools 2024 Teachers of the Year

 Elementary School

• Reva Ervin, Austin Road Elementary
• Ivy Gerald, Bethlehem Elementary
• Eileen Butts, Cotton Indian Elementary
• Mary Akins, Dutchtown Elementary
• Julie Haraway, East Lake Elementary
• Courtney Jackson, Fairview Elementary
• Candace Jones, Flippen Elementary
• LaTosha Pugh, Hampton Elementary
• Stuart Phillips, Hickory Flat Elementary
• Christine Jones, Impact Academy-Elementary
• Quenecia Roberts, Locust Grove Elementary
• Julianne Jefferson, Luella Elementary
• Bonita Stewart, Mt. Carmel Elementary*
• Maci Shearouse, New Hope Elementary
• Shawn Harper, Oakland Elementary
• Dr. Angela Cunard, Ola Elementary
• Chibria Hall-Davis, Pates Creek Elementary
• Kenan Woods, Pleasant Grove Elementary
• Latrese Hodges, Red Oak Elementary
• Nadiya Bobo, Rock Spring Elementary
• Jonda Ward, Rocky Creek Elementary
• Angela Allen, Smith-Barnes Elementary
• Sara Jones-Mitchell, Stockbridge Elementary
• Tim Peters, Timber Ridge Elementary
• Shani Strickland, Tussahaw Elementary
• Katie Wilson, Union Grove Elementary
• Eryn Brown, Walnut Creek Elementary
• Drew Elzie, Wesley Lakes Elementary
• Bernetta Johnson, Woodland Elementary

Middle School

• Brandy Adair, Austin Road Middle 
• Crystal Moore, Dutchtown Middle
• Vernell Leon, Eagle's Landing Middle
• Jentrell Stembridge, Hampton Middle
• Tanisha Jones, Impact Academy
• Ingrid Zabala, Locust Grove Middle
• Candice Smith, Luella Middle
• Jamal Muhammad, McDonough Middle
• Sarah Nell Griffis, Ola Middle*
• Ashley Sanchez, Stockbridge Middle
• Paula Lawrence, Union Grove Middle
• Dr. Adrienne Glass, Woodland Middle

 High School

• Elbretta Carpenter, Academy for Advanced Studies
• Della Cayson, Dutchtown High
• Candice Freeman, Eagle's Landing High
• Alisha Johnson, EXCEL Academy
• Christy Price, Hampton High
• Jack Teague, Impact Academy
• Shashank Dakur, Locust Grove High
• Dion Phillips, Luella High
• Brandi Neal, McDonough High**
• Jay Nelson, Ola High
• Kabrina Cador, Stockbridge High
• Dr. Lee Reese, Union Grove High
• Gayle Herrington, Woodland High

About Henry County Schools

Henry County Schools (HCS) is the eighth-largest school district in Georgia, consisting of 53 schools and located about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over the past two decades, our community has grown in population from 113,000 residents to over 244,000 residents. Since 1999, student enrollment has grown from 21,000 to 43,000 students, and our number of employees has grown from 3,000 to 6,000.

HCS is “In Pursuit of Exceptional,” taking action to advance opportunities, access, and outcomes so that every student in our school district has Exceptional Support, Exceptional Access, and an Exceptional Future. In 2020, our Board of Education adopted our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and laid out a clear vision and mission for Henry County Schools. Our vision is to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student, and our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society.

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