Dawson County Chamber Thanks Northside Hospital Forsyth for Presenting Sponsor-Teacher of the Year

DAWSONVILLE, GEORGIA-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2025

The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted its annual Teachers of the Year Luncheon, presented by Northside Hospital Forsyth. The Chamber extends its deepest appreciation to Northside for their generous partnership, which makes this annual celebration of excellence in education possible.

The luncheon honored the 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year from each school in the Dawson County School System and featured the announcement of the District Teacher of the Year, awarded to Julie Arthur, a kindergarten teacher at Riverview Elementary School.

In recognition of her achievement, Arthur was presented with a new car by John Megel Chevrolet and Ford, a highlight of the celebration. Each of the honored teachers was recognized by their school principal, received a gift basket provided by local businesses and organizations, and was presented with a handcrafted award created by students in Dawson County High School’s engineering program.

The 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year are:
• Blacks Mill Elementary School: Debby Boyd
• Kilough Elementary School: Jennifer Tucker
• Riverview Elementary School: Julie Arthur (District Teacher of the Year)
• Robinson Elementary School: Morgan Merritt
• Dawson County Middle School: Stephanie Davis
• Dawson County Junior High School: Lori Sandoval
• Dawson County High School: Meghann Pruett

Also recognized during the luncheon was Dr. Teresa Conowal, recipient of the Roger Slaton Excellence in Education Award, which honors individuals who have made a lasting impact in the field of education.

During her remarks, Lynn Jackson, CEO of Northside Hospital Forsyth, highlighted the shared mission between education and healthcare: “In healthcare we talk about whole person care, seeing a patient for more than just their diagnosis, and I think that’s the same for you in your classroom. You see the whole child — their curiosity, their struggles, their dreams. That kind of care and concern can’t be measured on a test; it just changes lives.”

The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce thanks Northside Hospital, John Megel Chevrolet and Ford, Dawson County Schools, and the many local businesses and organizations whose contributions helped make the event a success. About the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to strengthening the community by supporting education, business, and workforce development. Through partnerships with schools, businesses, and organizations, the Chamber fosters programs that inspire growth and success for all.



For more information, visit www.dawson.org. ### The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce represents over 550 members in the North Georgia region. The organization exists to fulfill the mission of “cultivating a successful economic environment and a desirable quality of life for our businesses and community.” Located just north of the intersection of Georgia 400 and Highway 53, the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Development provide a Welcome Center and visitor, business, and economic development information to visitors, local citizens, and businesses. To plan a trip or learn more about business and tourism in Dawson County, please visit www.dawson.org.