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Thomas County Schools is leading the way in bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) education to the classroom through its longstanding partnership with the Artificial Intelligence for Georgia (AI4GA) project. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF Awards DRL-2049029 and DRL-2048502) and Google, AI4GA is transforming how AI is introduced and taught in Georgia middle schools.

Since 2021, Thomas County Schools has been one of 15 Georgia districts participating in this innovative initiative, which has reached 1,655 students across the state. The project is a collaborative effort led by the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Florida, Boston College, BK International Education Consultancy, MaxPoReal, Amber Sparks Education, and The Findings Group.

Strengthening Teaching with Job-Embedded Supports

At the heart of Thomas County's involvement is Thomas County Middle School, where the project first launched under the leadership of teacher Will Hanna. Now in its fourth year of collaboration with AI4GA, the district continues to support Computer Science, Career Technical Education, and Science teachers with professional learning and job-embedded resources—empowering educators and preparing students with real-world AI skills.

Exploring AI Through Innovative Learning

AI4GA makes AI engaging and accessible to middle school students, with a focus on African American, Latino/a/x, and rural students. By integrating real-world AI applications, students gain hands-on experience in understanding how AI works and its impact on their everyday lives. Through a nine-week AI elective, Living and Working with Artificial Intelligence, students and teachers explore AI as creators, sparking curiosity and inspiring future STEM-powered careers. “We’re using AI4GA as a springboard to contextualize the need for AI literacy in populations that have the potential to be negatively impacted by AI agents,” said Bryan Cox, AI4GA Co-Principal Investigator and Research Faculty at Georgia Tech.

Building a Pathway for AI-Powered Careers

The AI4GA project provides real-world examples of how AI is shaping industries and preparing them for future opportunities. By fostering personal identities as STEM creators, students are equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving workforce. One resource developed as a result of needs expressed by teachers are AI Career Cards which explore a wide variety of careers that create Artificial Intelligence. Project resources ensure teachers feel supported and confident delivering innovative AI to their students.

Empowering Educators to Co-Design Curriculum

A cornerstone of the AI4GA initiative is empowering local educators to co-design an AI curriculum that is both relevant and impactful. Judith Uchidiuno, Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech’s School of Interactive Computing champions educators as middle school experts to craft engaging curriculum and activities with university Computer Science subject matter experts. As a result of the research-practitioner partnership, teachers develop as teacher leaders and mentor others in Georgia and now Texas. “Loved how the curriculum allowed me to modify examples to fit my student interest’s whether it was social media, gaming, or even farming”, stated Hanna.

About AI4GA

The AI4GA project is a multi-university and public partnership aimed at advancing AI education in Georgia’s middle schools. Funded by the National Science Foundation and Google, the initiative leverages the expertise of leading academic institutions and community partners to create a sustainable impact in STEM education. For more information, visit ai4ga.org.

For more information, please contact Thomas County Schools at 229-225-4380.

Seventeen cadets from the  Thomas County Central High School Army JROTC program recently completed their annual JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge (JCLC) summer camp at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA. JCLC is a week-long summer camp for Army JROTC cadets designed to develop leadership, teamwork, and discipline in a hands-on military environment. Cadets are placed in leadership positions within companies and participate in events like adventure training, STEM activities, and team-building exercises. 

The camp was composed of over 250 cadets from 18 Army JROTC programs in south and central Georgia and included over 40 cadre, chaperones, and support personnel.  Training events included Land Navigation, High Ropes Confidence Course, Obstacle Course, Leader Reaction Course, Drownproofing and canoe course, as well as physical training, basic drill and intramural sports. 

The highlight of the camp was the orientation flights in two CH-47 Chinook helicopters, supported by the Georgia Army National Guard. According to TCCHS Senior Army Instructor Lieutenant Colonel Kevin D. “Buzz” Ingram, the flights were definitely a memory cadets would not forget. 

“The planning and coordination began in the fall, so it was a great feeling to see all of the effort pay off once we executed the flights,” Ingram said.

Not only did TCCHS cadets get a taste of military training, but many earned top honors across several events. Senior Maureen Brutus was a member of the championship volleyball team, and Junior Jaylen Mitchell earned top honors as a member of her company’s platoon drill team. 

Senior Savannah Dodd earned first place in her company for the Cadet Challenge, a physical fitness assessment consisting of 5 events that measures upper body strength, core strength, and cardiovascular endurance. Cadet Dodd was the highest scoring female in her company and the third highest female overall at camp. Other students earning top honors in this event included Junior Jasper Munden in the Curl Up for his company, completing 65 - the second highest of any cadet at camp. Senior Yasbeidi Ramirez and Junior Chsristina Gonzales earned top honors as the highest scoring females for the Curl Up event, tying with an impressive 57 each. 

TCCHS Junior Christina Gonzalez demonstrated the most dominating performance by any single cadet in the history of Camp Bulldog at GMC. Not only did she earn top honors in the Curl Up event, but she was also the highest scoring female in her company on the Cadet Challenge and the overall  female champion for the Cadet Challenge, scoring 285 of 300 points. She was also the top Basic (LET 1 and 2) Cadet in her Company. Cadet Gonzalez was selected to represent her company at the Cadet Board and earned top honors as the overall best Basic Course Cadet at JCLC. These awards make her the most decorated cadet to graduate Camp Bulldog. 

“My goal going into camp was to get top female for the Cadet Challenge because that's what I did [at TCCHS],” Gonzalez said. “ And then I definitely knew I wanted to be on the board to try to get the trophies [as well].”

Her reaction to winning the awards was met with confidence and relief. 

“I was definitely holding my breath the whole ceremony, because I wasn't sure if I got it,” Gonzalez continued. “Actually hearing my name get called was a relief that I actually did it. I was definitely proud of myself and was thinking how I wish my mom could have been there to see it and how she would be happy that I came home with all [the awards].”

This is the second year in a row that the TCCHS program has had a cadet earn top honors. Last year, Aidan Poppell earned the title of top cadet at JCLC. 

The TCCHS cadets will use their experiences when they return in the fall as they contribute to the continued success of the TCCHS Army JROTC program. 

“We are very proud of this group and look forward to seeing them grow over the next year and make our program even better,” Ingram stated.

 

For the eleventh time and sixth consecutive year in a row, the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts has recognized the Thomas County School System for Excellence in Financial Management and Reporting. The award program was established in 2013, the first year school districts were eligible to receive this recognition.

The Department of Audits created the award program to recognize those entities that are audited annually and go beyond standard financial business practices to be considered “the best of the best.”  Recipients must meet a series of rigorous criteria, including submitting high-quality financial statements and supporting documentation in a timely manner, receiving an unmodified audit opinion with no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses, and complying fully with all Transparency in Government requirements.

Thomas County School Superintendent Dr. Lisa Williams and Board Chair Ed Hopper presented the award to Deputy Superintendent for Finance Joey Holland at the May Board of Education meeting.  Holland, in turn, credited the system’s finance department staff for their role in achieving this honor.

“The Financial Excellence Award is earned because of the dedication of each staff member who plays a part in the finance and accounting function of the school district,” Holland said.  “The keys to receiving this award are meeting the financial reporting deadlines of the Georgia Department of Education and Department of Audits and not having audit findings. Our employees work hard to follow our accounting policies and procedures and strive for timely completion of their work. I'm proud of our staff for earning this recognition.”

The Thomas County School System oversees an annual budget of $118 million and manages a monthly payroll of $4.3 million.  

Superintendent Dr. Lisa Williams praised the Finance Department and the district as a whole for their continued commitment to fiscal responsibility.  

“We take the management of the funds entrusted to us very seriously as we strive to be good stewards of our resources,” Dr. Williams said. “I appreciate the fine work of Mr. Joey Holland and his entire department.”

We’re challenging all Thomas County students to keep reading this summer! 

Whether you're flipping pages by the pool or diving into an audiobook on the go, keep your mind sharp and your imagination growing.

Each school has its own reading challenge—click the link below to find your school's specific details and get started!

2025 Summer Reading Challenge

Have questions? Contact your school's media specialist:

• Hand-in-Hand: Ms. Armstrong

• Garrison-Pilcher: Mrs. Griffin

• Cross Creek: Mrs. James

• TCMS: Mrs. Craven

• TCCHS: Ms. Holland

Let’s make reading a part of your summer adventure!

Garrison-Pilcher Elementary has been awarded Platinum Tier status in the 2024 Single Statewide Accountability System (SSAS) Greatest Gains Awards by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA)—the highest level of recognition granted through the program.

This prestigious honor places Garrison-Pilcher in the 99th percentile statewide for student growth, based on a three-year average of College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) Progress Scores.

This outstanding achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence shown by our teachers, staff, and students. We are incredibly proud of the entire Garrison-Pilcher community for reaching this milestone.

Congratulations to everyone who played a role in this well-deserved recognition!