Mr. Hines from Barack Obama Elementary earns state honor
Mr. Hines stands with superintendent and principal For half a day on Friday, September 13, 2019, DeKalb County School District’s Barack H. Obama Magnet School of Technology transformed into a hub of celebration, fellowship and good will.

Pre-kindergarten teacher Johnathon Hines was named the 2019-2020 Georgia Pre-K Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Department of Education’s Bright from the Start Department of Early Care and Learning. As a winner, Hines received a check for $7,500 which includes a personal stipend of $3,000, $2,500 to use for a classroom makeover and $2,000 for Barack Obama Elementary.

Barack H. Obama Magnet School, DCSD and Bright from the Start representatives joined Hines’ family and friends on the morning of September 13 for a surprise celebration and formal check presentation.

Hines was told there would be a surprise reader for his two classes and that he should be prepa