Adrione Riley, Ed.S.

HERO Spotlight: Susan Moore | Liberty Middle School Newton County Schools is proud to spotlight Liberty Middle School’s Ms. Susan Moore, Registrar and a dedicated advocate for students and families. In her role, Ms. Moore consistently exemplifies what it means to serve with compassion, professionalism, and care. As one of the first points of contact for families, she intentionally creates a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who enters the building. She communicates clearly, listens attentively, and responds with empathy—building strong relationships grounded in trust. Ms. Moore goes beyond her assigned responsibilities to ensure students and families feel supported and valued. She assists families in navigating challenges, connects them with appropriate resources, and approaches every situation with a solutions-oriented mindset. Her willingness to step in wherever needed reflects her deep commitment to the school community. Her reliability, positive presence, and strong work ethic make her an essential part of Liberty Middle School. Through her dedication and service, she strengthens the connection between school and home and contributes to a culture where students and families feel respected and supported. Susan Moore truly embodies the spirit of a HERO and is a deserving representative of Liberty Middle School and Newton County Schools. 💙

📚🏆 A champion returns—and a rising star shines. Liberty Middle School sixth grader Cadyn Gray successfully defended his title to become Newton County Schools’ two-time District Spelling Bee champion, while Live Oak Elementary third grader Lailah Hood impressed the audience with an outstanding runner-up finish after outlasting every other competitor on the stage. Read the full recap from an exciting 19-round competition and learn how both students are preparing for the next level: 🔗 newtoncountyschools.org/departments/pu…

Congratulations to Mansfield Elementary, Newton County STEAM Academy, Clements Middle, Indian Creek Middle, and Liberty Middle for being named 2023-2024 Math Leader Schools by the Georgia Department of Education! @NCTS09 @ClementsMiddle @indiancreekmid @LibertyMiddle #SpiritPrideExcellence

Today we honored our Liberty Knights Veterans. Thank you for your service 🇺🇸#spiritprideExcellence #KnightsRide

Happy Veterans Day 🇺🇸

Red Ribbon week started out with a bang! Shout out to our students for taking a pledge to be drug free. #SpiritPrideExcellence #KnightsRide

Today we are having Breakfast for the Bus Drivers. Thanks for getting our students to and from school Safely. We appreciate all you do! #SpiritPrideExcellence #knightsRide

It's National Principals Month! Meet Liberty Middle School (@LibertyMiddle @LibertyMiddleNC) Principal, Mr. NiQuan Alston! 1. Name: NiQuan Alston 2. School: Liberty Middle School 3. What inspired you to pursue a career in education? My interest in education stems from a combination of personal and intellectual motivations. Education is a field where the impact on individuals and communities is deeply transformative. The idea of empowering others, fostering curiosity, and nurturing potential in young minds resonates strongly with me. Additionally, My mother inspired me to pursue a career in education. My mother previously held a position as an Elementary Principal. 4. What are three key qualities you believe every effective school leader should have? • Visionary Leadership: An effective leader sets a clear, strategic vision for the school, aligning goals with the needs of students, staff, and the community. • Strong Communication Skills: The capacity to listen actively, articulate expectations clearly, and engage with students, staff, and the wider school community. • Instructional Leadership: A strong focus on teaching and learning, supporting teacher development, and using data to drive academic improvement. 5. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why? If I could have dinner with any historical figure who had a positive impact on education, it would be Maria Montessori. She revolutionized the field of education with her child-centered approach, emphasizing hands-on learning, independence, and respect for a child's natural development. Her methods, still widely used today 6. What is a memorable moment or achievement at your school or in your career that stands out to you? One of the most memorable moments of my career was when, as an assistant principal, four former students surprised me at work with a plaque. The plaque was inscribed with the words, "Inspire, Encourage, and Believe Award" and "We are because you believed." This heartfelt gesture served as a powerful reminder of the impact we have as educators and reaffirmed the purpose behind our work. 7. What is a hobby or interest you enjoy outside of school? My favorite hobby outside of school is cooking meats on my smoker grill. I am pretty sure I have the best ribs ever. 8. What legacy do you hope to leave at your school? As the principal of Liberty Middle School, I hope to leave a legacy of fostering a positive and inclusive school culture where every student feels valued, empowered, and supported in their growth—both academically and personally. My aim is for the school to be recognized for its academic excellence, strong community partnerships, and a culture of mutual respect and collaboration among students, staff, and families. I hope to inspire future leaders to continue this focus on equity, innovation, and student-centered learning. 9. How do you stay motivated and inspired in your role as a principal? Student Success: Seeing students grow, succeed, and overcome challenges is one of the greatest motivators. Celebrating their achievements and reflecting on how you help shape their future is inspiring. Staff Development: Supporting and watching your teachers and staff develop professionally provides a sense of accomplishment. When you see the culture you’ve built positively affecting the team, it reinforces your purpose. 10. What is the most important lesson you've learned as a leader? One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a leader is the value of listening. It’s easy to focus on directing and making decisions, but true leadership comes from understanding the needs, perspectives, and concerns of your team. By actively listening, you build trust, foster collaboration, and make more informed decisions. It creates a culture where people feel heard and valued, which enhances both individual and collective success.

🎉 Yesterday's PL @LibertyMiddleNC was a hit! Teachers unlocked the magic of the @AudioEnhancemnt EPIC system and My Workshop. Now scheduling and viewing recordings is a piece of cake! 🍰 #TeacherTools #EdTechSuccess #NCSAchieves

All @NewtonCoSchools will be closed from October 7-11, 2024 for Fall Break! Students should report back to school on Monday, October 14, 2024!

Just a phenomenal group of leaders! #BuildingOurFuture

Congratulations to our September teacher of the Month, Mr. Willard. He goes above and beyond with anything we ask of him. We appreciate all you do! #knightsride #SpiritPrideExcellence

Out of an abundance of caution, all Newton County Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 30 due to the lingering impact of the chemical fire in neighboring Rockdale County. Read more here: newtoncountyschools.org/departments/pu…

Congratulations to LMS's very own @msmcneal19 Ms. Miranda McNeal! You have represented Liberty well. So proud of you! #TOTY #ncssbethebest

Congratulations to our Instructional Coach Ms. Warfield on completing her last day of Chemotherapy. She is such a warrior! We are so proud of you! #knightsride #SpiritPrideExcellence

Congrats to our August Teacher of the Month, Mr. Squires! Mr. Squires is always engaged in active Instruction when you enter his classroom. Students are always engaged during his lessons. Mr. Squires goes above and beyond the call of duty! Congratulations again Mr. Squires!!!

Happy Birthday @Ilead_MrAlston !!!

Shoutout to Liberty Middle School! We’re excited to celebrate @LibertyMiddleNC for their outstanding performance on the 2024 Georgia Milestones! Liberty’s 8th graders made impressive strides with: 📚 A 10 percentage point increase in the percentage of students reading at or above grade level! 📝 A 12 percentage point increase in 8th grade ELA (English Language Arts)! These achievements are a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of our teachers, staff, and students. Your commitment to excellence is shining through! Let’s give a big round of applause to everyone at Liberty Middle School for these fantastic accomplishments! #BreakthroughResults #SpiritPrideExcellence1

It’s the stories of our people that always impress me. Meet Mr. Willie Humphries, a 35 year veteran educator (Retired) who now serves as the Head of Facilities @LibertyMiddle! He runs a tight shop, and it shows! Thank you, sir! #BuildingOurFuture