A teacher's past raises questions about hiring practices and student safety. But is it fair to judge someone's entire career based on past allegations? Here's the story that has parents and educators talking.
A Troubling Report: Nathan Dawson, a science teacher at Ridgeland High School in Walker County, was hired in August 2024, despite a history of disciplinary issues in previous teaching positions. The most recent controversy involves a suspension from Hamilton County Schools in February 2024, due to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a student. This suspension came to light through a public records request by Local 3 News.
Previous Red Flags: It's not the first time Dawson's conduct has been questioned. In 2017, while working at Whitfield County Schools, he received a written reprimand for alleged inappropriate comments to a student. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission investigated and found he had sent 61 text messages in less than an hour to a student in 2016, which made her feel uncomfortable. Interestingly, the texts were only found on the student's phone, and no inappropriate content was discovered.
Hiring Decision: Walker County Schools knew about the 2017 reprimand but still hired Dawson. They deemed him eligible, despite the red flags. However, they were unaware of the recent suspension from Hamilton County until August 2024, when a parent brought it to their attention. This raises questions about the thoroughness of their hiring process.
Legal Implications: Dawson has not faced criminal charges for any of these incidents. He does have a pending DUI charge in Hamilton County from July 2025, but this is unrelated to his teaching career. As of October 2025, he remains in the classroom, with the Walker County superintendent stating there have been no complaints about his performance.
And here's where it gets controversial: Should teachers with a history of disciplinary issues be allowed to continue teaching? Are schools doing enough to ensure student safety and maintain trust? Share your thoughts in the comments, but remember to keep the discussion respectful and constructive.
