Dewar Elementary School

We can’t wait to meet all of our new Vikings this fall!

Have you registered your Viking for school yet? Claim your appointment by following these 3 easy steps today!

1. Complete online registration
2. Schedule your appointment
3. Bring your required documents to your appointment

Start the process online here: https://www.lowndes.k12.ga.us/o/lcs/page/central-enrollment

✨ Big things are happening at Dewar as we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year! 🍎📚 Please help us welcome one of the newest members of our team, Mrs. Ashley Willmont, our new Instructional Coach! ❤️💙

Ashley Willmont is so excited to be joining the Dewar Elementary family as the new Instructional Coach! With 20 years in education and experience teaching grades K–5, including 13 years at Pine Grove Elementary, Ashley is passionate about supporting teachers, building relationships, and helping students grow as readers and learners. Mrs. Willmont has a deep love of literacy and enjoys helping students build a strong foundation in reading. She is passionate about the science of reading and is proud to have helped bring SOR instructional practices to Lowndes County Schools to better support student success.

Throughout her career, Ashley has served in leadership roles, supported early intervention and diverse learners, and was honored as Pine Grove Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 2021–2022.

When she’s not at school, Ashley loves spending time with her husband, son, and daughter, playing with her two Irish doodles, Ruby and Ronald, and getting lost in a good book. She’s also a huge Atlanta Braves fan and never turns down the chance to cheer them on! Ashley is excited for this new chapter and can’t wait for a great year at Dewar!

⚾️ From Dewar to Omaha! ⚾️

Congratulations to former Dewar Viking Tate Sirmans on helping lead Ole Miss to the 2026 College World Series! What an incredible accomplishment and a testament to years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

At Dewar, our mission is Developing Every Student for a LIFETIME of Learning (and Success!), and it is always exciting to see our former students pursuing their dreams and achieving success on some of the biggest stages. Tate’s journey from the halls of Dewar through Lowndes High and all the way to Omaha serves as a reminder to our current students that big goals are possible with determination and commitment.

We are proud to celebrate Tate and all he has accomplished. Once a Viking, always a Viking! ❤️🤍

📚 Teachers Read in the Summer Too!

This summer, we’re highlighting Dewar staff members to remind our students that reading doesn’t stop when the school year ends. Whether it’s a book, audiobook, magazine, graphic novel, newspaper, devotional, or cookbook, reading can happen anywhere!

This week’s reader is Mr. T, Dewar’s STEM teacher. Mr. T is spending part of his summer reading with a very special reading buddy, Abby Lee the chinchilla!

No matter where you are or who you’re reading with, don’t forget to make time for reading this summer. Just 20 minutes a day can help keep your reading skills strong, your imagination growing, and the summer slide at bay!

What are you reading this summer? 📖☀️🐭

⭐️ Please take a moment to join us in celebrating our May Teacher and Staff Member of the Month! ⭐️

🍎 Teacher of the Month: Mrs. Rachel Scott 🍎

Mrs. Scott is a true go-getter and an invaluable member of our team. She consistently approaches every task with enthusiasm, positivity, and a willingness to help wherever needed. She is always eager to share ideas, collaborate with colleagues, and support those around her.

Mrs. Scott genuinely loves her students and is deeply committed to their success, both academically and personally. She goes above and beyond to ensure every child feels supported, encouraged, and valued. Her dedication is reflected in her students' outstanding achievement, including exceptional GMAS results.

On a personal note, I can always count on Mrs. Scott. Whether she is helping me navigate technology challenges or keeping me organized when I become forgetful, she is always there with patience, grace, and a smile. She is an exceptional educator, a trusted colleague, and a joy to work alongside.

💻 Staff Member of the Month: Mrs. Andrea Shover 💻

A heartfelt thank you to Andrea Shover for her exceptional hard work and dedication during GMAS testing. From preparing and organizing Chromebooks to ensuring all devices were testing-ready, Andrea played a critical role in helping our testing process run smoothly and efficiently.

Her ability to quickly troubleshoot technology issues, provide support when needed, and keep everything operating seamlessly behind the scenes was truly invaluable. Andrea's patience, problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence helped create a successful testing experience for both our students and staff.

We are incredibly grateful for all she does each day to support Dewar Elementary. Thank you, Andrea, for your unwavering dedication and the positive impact you make on our school community.

✨ Big things are happening at Dewar as we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year! 🍎📚

While many of our upcoming introductions will feature new faces, today's spotlight is on a familiar one. Today, we are excited to celebrate Mrs. Mary Beth Sebring. While she is certainly no stranger to Dewar, she is beginning a new chapter as Principal of Dewar Elementary School. Congratulations, Mrs. Sebring! ❤️

Mary Beth Sebring is a dedicated educational leader with more than 18 years of experience serving students, educators, and families across South Georgia. Throughout her career, she has established a reputation for excellence in instructional leadership, school improvement, teacher development, and student achievement. Her passion for education is rooted in a steadfast belief that every child deserves access to high-quality learning experiences and the support necessary to reach their fullest potential.

Mrs. Sebring earned her Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education, Master of Education in Early Childhood Education, and Educational Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Valdosta State University. She further strengthened her leadership expertise by earning her Tier I Educational Leadership Certification through Valdosta State University and a Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement through Coastal Plains RESA.

Mrs. Sebring began her educational career with Valdosta City Schools, where she dedicated eight years to serving students and families. During her tenure, she taught third grade, co-teaching and working collaboratively to deliver high-quality instruction and support the academic growth of all learners. In addition to her classroom and grade-level leadership responsibilities, she served as the school's Community Partners in Education (CPIE) Coordinator, where she cultivated meaningful partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and stakeholders. Through these collaborative efforts, she helped secure resources, expand opportunities for students, and strengthen the connection between the school and the community. These experiences fostered her passion for collaboration, servant leadership, and building systems that support student success both inside and outside the classroom.

Mrs. Sebring later joined Lowndes County Schools, where she continued to broaden her impact on teaching and learning through a variety of leadership roles. She served as a third-grade teacher, an Early Intervention Program (EIP) Reading and Math Interventionist, and an Instructional Coach. In these positions, she worked closely with students and teachers to improve academic outcomes through data-driven instruction, targeted interventions, curriculum implementation, and professional learning. As an instructional coach, she provided job-embedded support for teachers, facilitated professional development, analyzed student achievement data, and partnered with instructional teams to strengthen classroom practices and improve student performance.

Recognized for her ability to build relationships, inspire educators, and lead continuous improvement efforts, Mrs. Sebring transitioned into school administration. She served as Assistant Principal of Dewar Elementary School, where she provided leadership for a wide range of programs and initiatives, including special education, Response to Intervention (RTI), the Early Intervention Program (EIP), Section 504 services, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), school improvement planning, student discipline, teacher evaluation and support, and statewide assessment coordination. In this role, she played a pivotal part in advancing instructional excellence, fostering a positive school culture, and supporting students' academic, social, and emotional growth.

Mrs. Sebring currently serves as the Principal of Dewar Elementary School, where she leads with a vision centered on student achievement, educator empowerment, and continuous improvement. She is committed to fostering a culture of excellence in which students are challenged, supported, and inspired to succeed, while teachers are provided with the resources, professional learning, and collaborative opportunities necessary to thrive. Her leadership philosophy is grounded in building strong relationships, developing others' leadership capacity, and creating systems that ensure every student succeeds.

Known for her collaborative and servant-hearted approach to leadership, Mrs. Sebring values meaningful partnerships with students, staff, families, and community stakeholders. She believes that the most successful schools are built on trust, shared responsibility, high expectations, and a collective commitment to excellence.

📚 Teachers Read in the Summer Too!

This summer, we’re highlighting Dewar staff members to remind our students that reading doesn’t stop when the school year ends. Whether it’s a book, audiobook, magazine, graphic novel, newspaper, devotional, or cookbook, reading can happen anywhere!

This week’s reader is Mrs. Dillard, Dewar’s new media specialist! While she usually prefers listening to audiobooks throughout the year, a beach trip always means a physical book in hand. 🏖️

No matter where you are or what you’re doing, don’t forget to make time for reading. Just 20 minutes a day can help keep your reading skills strong, your imagination growing, and the summer slide at bay!

Families, remember that one of the best ways to encourage young readers is to let them see the adults in their lives reading, too.

What are you reading this summer? 📖☀️

📊 Dewar was proud to be represented at District Data Days this week by our administrative team, instructional coach, and teacher leaders. Together, we reflected on the successes of the 2025-2026 school year, celebrated student growth, and began planning for an even stronger 2026-2027. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and can’t wait to see what our Vikings accomplish next! ♥️🤍

💔🐾 Whether we’re Wildcats or Vikings, some losses are felt across every school community.

Today, the Dewar Elementary family joins our friends at J.L. Lomax Elementary and Valdosta City Schools in grieving the loss of Hope. While we may wear different colors, we share the same mission, loving and supporting children, and we know the incredible impact a therapy dog can have on a school family.

Dewar’s own therapy dog, Pretzel, sends all the love, snuggles, and tail wags to Officer Carla Jones and everyone who knew and loved Hope.

Run free, sweet girl. 🌈🐾❤️

Open House info is here! 🗓️