A teacher in Walker County, Georgia, continues to work in a classroom despite a previous suspension from Hamilton County Schools. This suspension followed a report of an inappropriate relationship with a student. Walker County Schools became aware of the Hamilton County suspension in August 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Nathan Dawson, a science teacher, works at Ridgeland High School in Walker County.
- He was suspended from Hamilton County Schools in February 2024 for misrepresenting facts in an HR investigation.
- Walker County Schools hired Dawson in August 2024, aware of a 2017 reprimand for inappropriate comments to a student.
- The district learned of the Hamilton County suspension in August 2025 after a parent contacted them.
- Dawson faces a DUI charge from July 2025, with a court date set for October 23, 2025.
Teacher's History Includes Prior Reprimands and Suspensions
Nathan Dawson is currently employed as a science teacher at Ridgeland High School in Walker County. Records show that Walker County Schools hired Dawson in August 2024. At the time of his hiring, the district was aware of a written reprimand Dawson received in 2017. This reprimand stemmed from alleged inappropriate comments made to a student while he worked in Whitfield County Schools.
More recently, Dawson faced a three-day suspension from Central High in Hamilton County in February 2024. This suspension occurred before his hiring in Walker County. However, Walker County Schools only learned about this specific suspension in August 2025.
Important Dates
- August 4, 2014: Dawson began employment with Whitfield County Schools.
- September 2016: Allegations of inappropriate texts to a student in Whitfield County.
- May 31, 2017: Dawson resigned from Whitfield County Schools.
- July 13, 2017: Georgia Professional Standards Commission issued a reprimand.
- February 2024: Suspended from Central High (Hamilton County).
- August 2024: Hired by Walker County Schools.
- July 2025: Charged with driving under the influence (DUI).
- August 2025: Walker County Schools learned of Hamilton County suspension.
- October 16, 2025: Dawson continues to teach at Ridgeland High School.
Hamilton County Suspension Details Emerge
The suspension from Hamilton County Schools in February 2024 was significant. According to a letter from Superintendent Justin Robertson, Dawson was found to have misrepresented and concealed facts. This occurred during an HR investigation into another alleged inappropriate relationship. The district could not definitively confirm an inappropriate relationship. However, it criticized his "unprofessional conduct" related to the investigation process.
An open records request by Local 3 News brought these details to light. The documents indicate that Walker County Schools became aware of this specific suspension in August 2025. This awareness came after a parent reportedly contacted the district about the Hamilton County investigation.
"The district could not definitively determine if he had an inappropriate relationship and criticized his 'unprofessional conduct' related to the investigation," the letter from Superintendent Robertson stated.
Previous Reprimand in Whitfield County
Dawson's personnel file includes a 2017 reprimand from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. This reprimand followed reports of inappropriate text messages. The investigation found that Dawson sent 61 messages to a student in less than 50 minutes during September 2016.
Background on Reprimand
The student involved told a school counselor the following day that the messages made her feel uncomfortable. While investigators found the texts on the student's phone, they were not present on Dawson's device. The investigation did not find any inappropriate content within the messages themselves. Dawson worked for Whitfield County Schools from August 4, 2014, until his resignation on May 31, 2017. The reprimand was issued on July 13, 2017, more than a month after his resignation.
According to an email from Walker County Superintendent Damon Raines, the district was aware of this 2017 reprimand. Raines stated that the district determined Dawson was eligible for hire last year despite this information.
Current Employment and Pending Legal Issues
As of October 16, 2025, Nathan Dawson continues his role as a science teacher at Ridgeland High School. Walker County's superintendent reports that the school received no complaints about Dawson during his first year of employment.
Dawson has not faced criminal charges for any of the allegations found in his personnel file. However, he does face a separate legal issue. He was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Hamilton County in July 2025. His next court appearance for this charge is scheduled for October 23, 2025.
The ongoing situation highlights the complexities involved in teacher hiring processes and the flow of information between school districts regarding employee conduct.
