Here’s a shocking truth: a teacher with a history of red flags is still standing in front of a classroom today. But here's where it gets controversial—despite a suspension and allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student, Nathan Dawson was hired by Walker County Schools and continues to teach science at Ridgeland High School. And this is the part most people miss—this isn’t his first brush with controversy. Let’s break it down.
In 2017, while working for Whitfield County Schools, Dawson received a written reprimand for allegedly making inappropriate comments to a student. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission investigated after reports surfaced that he sent 61 text messages to a student in less than 50 minutes back in 2016. The student confided in a school counselor that the messages made her uncomfortable. While investigators found no inappropriate content in the texts—which were only recovered from the student’s phone, not Dawson’s—the incident raised serious concerns about professional boundaries. Dawson resigned from Whitfield County Schools in May 2017, but the reprimand came over a month later.
Fast forward to February 2024, and Dawson was suspended for three days from Central High in Hamilton County. A letter from Superintendent Justin Robertson revealed that Dawson had misrepresented and concealed facts during an HR investigation into another alleged inappropriate relationship. While the district couldn’t definitively prove the relationship, they criticized his unprofessional conduct. Here’s the kicker—Walker County Schools hired Dawson in August 2024, fully aware of the 2017 reprimand but unaware of his Hamilton County suspension until a parent brought it to light this year.
Walker County Superintendent Damon Raines claims the district deemed Dawson eligible for hire last year, despite his history. As of October 16, 2025, Dawson remains in the classroom, with no complaints filed during his first year at Ridgeland High. He does, however, face a DUI charge in Hamilton County, with a court date set for October 23. Dawson has never been criminally charged for any allegations in his personnel file.
But here’s the question that lingers: Should a teacher with multiple allegations of inappropriate conduct—even if unproven—be allowed to continue teaching? Is the system failing to protect students, or is Dawson being unfairly targeted? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments. This isn’t just about one teacher—it’s about the trust we place in our schools and the safety of our children.
