Amber Lamar, a native of Macon, GA, has dedicated her career to education and counseling, making a significant impact on students’ lives throughout her journey. Amber graduated from Central High School in 2011. She pursued higher education at Albany State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2015. She continued her journey at Fort Valley State University, obtaining a Master of School Counseling in 2017 and a Specialist of School Counseling in 2019. Amber was also equipped with a Tier 1 Leadership Certification from the University of West Georgia in 2024. Amber began her career as an Educational Aide at the Department of Juvenile Justice in 2015. She then transitioned to education as a Long-Term Substitute at Central High School in 2016. From 2017 to 2018, Amber served as a Special Education Teacher at Twiggs Middle/High School. Her role as a School Counselor at Central High School from 2018 to 2023 marked a significant chapter in her career. Her dedication and impact were recognized when she was awarded Bibb County School District Counselor of the Year for the 2023-2024 academic year. In addition to her tenure at Central High School, Amber served as a School Counselor at Foothills Charter High School from 2020 to 2023. Prior roles include BCSD Summer School Assistant Principal, BCSD High School Lead Counselor and Dean of Students at Central High School. She also serves as the PBIS Coach, Leader in Me Coordinator, Testing Coordinator, and Head Cheerleading Coach, demonstrating her versatility and leadership within the school community. Outside of her school roles, Amber serves as a Therapist at On the Path Counseling Agency, where she provides therapeutic support to individuals navigating various challenges. She also contributes as an Assistant Site Director at Foothills Charter, overseeing educational programs and student support services. Currently, Amber holds the position of Assistant Principal at Central High School, appointed in 2024. In this role, she continues to uphold her commitment to academic excellence and student welfare. Amber cherishes family time with her daughter, Bailey, and finds fulfillment in balancing her professional achievements with personal growth and community engagement. Amber’s journey is characterized by her unwavering dedication to student success, her leadership in educational initiatives, and her commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment. As she continues to advance in her career, Amber remains driven by her passion for education and her profound impact on the lives of students and the community.

Mr. Enow “Taye” Ayuk, a dedicated educator and scholar, hails from Dublin, GA, where he graduated with honors from Dublin High School in 2012. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Savannah State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Continuing his education at Johns Hopkins University, he received a Master’s in Biotechnology with a concentration in Health Intensive Science. Recently, he completed a second Master’s in Arts and Teaching at Mercer University, achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA. Currently, Mr. Ayuk serves as a physical science educator at Rutland Middle School in Macon, GA, where he was recently named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year within the Bibb County School District. He also works as an enrichment instructor at the Brookdale Resource Center. In addition, he has experience teaching public speaking, math for summer school, and remediation math and science for Saturday school. Approaching his fourth year in education, he finds great joy in fostering the intellectual and personal growth of his students. Throughout his academic career, Mr. Ayuk has been recognized with numerous honors and is a member of prestigious organizations, including Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Fraternity, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, The National Society of Leadership and Success, NAACP, SGA, Collegiate 100, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he has held several leadership roles. With several years of experience in biomedical research, Mr. Ayuk has conducted workshops on health disparities for Black Health Matters, focusing on the importance of regular health check-ups and addressing prostate cancer in the African American community. His professional journey also includes roles as a chief medical scribe and patient care coordinator under a lead interventional cardiologist in Rockville, MD. Mr. Ayuk’s decision to enter the field of education was driven by a deep-seated call to teach and mentor. He believes in the early empowerment of young black men, adhering to the philosophy, “If we don’t start to get them early, then the others will get them later.” As he looks to the future, Mr. Ayuk plans to return to medicine, aspiring to attend a top medical school and become an interventional cardiologist. He lives by the motto: “Awards and accolades can only make things known, but drive and determination make things possible,” a testament to his commitment to both education and community service.

Mrs. Adrienne B. Hurley is an accomplished educational leader with a rich background in fostering academic excellence and creating a positive school environment. Her impressive educational qualifications, including an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision, a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts in History, reflect her commitment to continuous learning and professional development. With twenty years of experience in K-12 education, Mrs. Hurley has served in various capacities, including as a classroom teacher, Social Studies School Improvement Coordinator for Social Studies, Assistant Principal at Southwest and Westside High School, and most recently her appointment as Principal of John R. Lewis Elementary in the Bibb County School District. Her diverse experience extends beyond the classroom, having also worked as an Education and Culture Specialist for the U.S. Department of State and as a Certified Forensic Interviewer for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Celebrating twenty-seven years of marriage to her husband, Harold L. Hurley, Jr. She has three sons, Deatrick Beckham, Jr. (adopted-former student), James (4th-grade teacher at Hartley Elementary), and Jonathan (10th grader at Southwest High School), three grandchildren (Deatrick’s-Titan, Soul, and Blaze) and three god-daughters Brooklyn, Summer, and Ari Jade. Mrs. Hurley’s dedication to student success is evident in her approach to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Her leadership and her previous roles demonstrate her ability to drive positive change and empower both students and educators to reach their full potential.

Devante’ Romero Sanders is the “New Kd” on the block to education but is one in whom is well-equipped to take on every adversity there is to offer being an educator. While only teaching for three years, first as a 4th grade mathematics teacher at Bernd Elementary to two years as an Algebra, Algebra Support, Foundations of Algebra, Advanced Algebra, and Geometry Support teacher here at Southwest High School and Law Academy, he has proven countless of times that he was built to lead and guide students towards success. He believes wholeheartedly that an average teacher tells, a good teacher explains, but an outstanding teacher inspires. Children have always been his passion. Which is why he spends countless hours beyond the bell not only tutoring students, but also perfecting his craft. Every time he is around a child, he manages to draw their attention and relate to them on their level; race nor gender has never been a factor in their relationship. Just by simply being a positive influence in a child’s life he is content. As previously mentioned, Mr. Sanders thrives to be the best version of himself. Having graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from The Fort Valley State University, he continued to deepen his understanding of the educational world and obtained a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Georgia College & State University in the Summer of 2023. Throughout acquiring said degree, he was challenged to step outside his role of listening and learning as a novice teacher to leading professional learning workshops and his colleagues successfully through what is known at Southwest as the P.A.T. Attack Milestone Blitz; thus motivating him to pursue a doctoral degree in educational leadership in the near future. In the end, Mr. Sanders believes that even though a teacher’s job is to help the students excel and progress to the next grade, that should not be their only goal. He knows that he can be a beacon of hope to every child by being the one to change their mindset and teach them that their circumstances do not define who they are, and through a great education, motivation, determination, and prayer, they can do and be anything they desire.

Greetings, I’m Mr. Keywon Harvey, a Macon, GA native and a proud alumnus of Bibb County Public School District. Graduating in 2003 from Central International Baccalaureate Fine Arts Magnet High School, I embarked on a journey spanning fifteen years in the field of education. My educational pursuits led me to Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, where I obtained my bachelor’s degree. Subsequently, I earned a master’s degree in Education Leadership Tier 1 from Georgia College & State University, and in October 2023, I achieved an Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University, concurrently pursuing my Ed.D in Curriculum & Instruction from the same institution in Lynchburg, VA. In my teaching career, I’ve engaged with diverse roles, from Special Education to instructing Reading 180 and Algebra 1. For the past three years, I’ve served as the Dean of Students at John R. Lewis Elementary and Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School. Recently appointed as the Assistant Principal at Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School for the forthcoming academic year, I’m poised for new challenges and opportunities. Beyond the classroom, I’m deeply involved in community initiatives. As a member and board representative for the Urban Leadership Academy in Macon, GA, a board member for Teens 2 Queens, Incorporated, and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, I actively contribute to fostering positive change. Throughout my educational journey, I’ve been honored with various awards, yet the Student Golden Apple Award from two Honor Graduates in Central High School’s graduating class holds a special place in my heart. Additionally, being recognized as Central High School’s 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year and a Top 5 Finalist for District Teacher of the Year were significant milestones. Outside of work, family holds immense importance to me. I have two wonderful sisters and a charming nephew with whom I cherish spending quality time on weekends. My interests include music, shopping, reading, mentoring aspiring minds, and advocating for transformative change in Macon. In essence, my life philosophy centers around the profound belief that every child harbors the potential to learn and thrive, regardless of their circumstances, provided they are guided by educators who wholeheartedly believe in their abilities.