09/26/2026
The Best of THE BEST! Ms. Blue & Gold herself, Ms. Billups, does it ALL! We are proud to have her represent Gaines as our Support Professional of the Year! 💙🦅💛
Continuing our 2026-27 school-level Teacher/Support Professional of the Year spotlights this afternoon, with a look at Tangi Billups, Behavior Interventionist and Support Professional of the Year at Gaines Elementary School!
Ms. Billups has worked in CCSD for 29 years in a variety of roles, starting as a substitute teacher in 1997 before gaining full-time employment as a special education paraprofessional in 1998. Since then, she has also served as a computer lab specialist, a K-1 paraprofessional and most recently a behavior interventionist. She has been at Gaines for the entirety of her teaching career.
Ms. Billups was inspired to go into education by Mr. Valdon Daniel, one of the administrators at Clarke Central High School during her time there as a student.
“The way that he built relationships with students and pushed them to be the best version of themselves made me realize that I wanted to be that person for students as well,” says Ms. Billups. “As a behavior interventionist, I work hard to build meaningful relationships with students and provide them with the support they need to succeed in both academic settings and real-world situations.”
Ms. Billups also has a prominent presence in her community, going out of her way to connect with families and show up for students both inside and outside of the classroom. She says her favorite part about working at Gaines is being a role model and safe place for students, as well as continuing those relationships beyond Gaines as they move into middle school, high school, and adulthood.
“One of my core beliefs is that every day is a new day and all students deserve a fresh start,” Ms. Billups says. “In my many years of experience, I have learned that oftentimes, we are the only safe space that some students have, providing them with a place to rest, calm down, share a meal, or have a conversation to turn their day around for the better. I come to school every day with a positive attitude and an open mind, ready to be there for students and meet them where they are. Every day, I support students and staff members with a smile on my face. Everyone at Gaines knows that if you need help, you can always turn to Ms. Billups!”
In addition to her teaching roles at Gaines, Ms. Billups serves as the Gaines Cheerleading coach — and is the reigning Athens Youth Development Initiative Cheer Coach of the Year — and worked at the Boys & Girls Club from 1996-2024. She is active in supporting the Jaguar Youth Football Program and can often be found under her tent cheering on all students she has supported, no matter the team. Her favorite color is green, and she says she is “most definitely a cheetah print girl!”
Ms. Billups loves to spend time with her family – her sons, Miquan, Martrez, and Danario (DJ), her grandson, Major, and the newest addition to their family, her puppy, Cane!
Her favorite quote comes from the late Rita Pierson: "Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be."
Please join us in congratulating Tangi Billups, Support Professional of the Year! And check back later this evening at 8 p.m. for a look at the Gaines Teacher of the Year!
