Paulding Teacher Dies On Way To Work

PAULDING COUNTY, GA — A Paulding County fourth-grade teacher died early Tuesday morning and people in and around Russom Elementary School are still trying to cope with the tragedy.

Emily Howell, 32, of Dallas, collided with Joshua Powell, 31, of Jasper at approximately 7 a.m., according to the Georgia State Patrol. Howell was pronounced dead on the scene and Powell was taken to Kennestone Hospital. Powell was a detention officer with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office .

Powell was in a Jeep Wrangler, traveling south on Dallas Acworth Highway approaching Frey Road. Howell was driving a Ford Mustang was traveling north on Dallas Acworth Highway just north of Frey Road. The driver of the Jeep crossed the center line and struck the Ford Mustang head-on.

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The GSP Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is conducting a follow-up investigation. Charges are pending. The GSP said the report is not complete.

Paulding County School District released the following statement:

"Ms. Emily Howell was a dynamic young fourth grade teacher who was loved by her colleagues and the students she taught. Her tragic passing has had a profound effect on the entire Russom Elementary School family. The district’s CARE/Crisis Response Team and school counselors have met with staff at Russom and will be talking to students and parents to help them cope with the unexpected loss. They are also contacting the parents of Ms. Howell’s students. The district is prepared to provide the support that will be necessary to help the school through this difficult time, including providing accommodations and resources for Ms. Howell’s students for the remainder of the school year.

"Ms. Howell was hired at Russom Elementary in 2015," continued the statement. "She was a very dedicated teacher, and her students always came first. She was a hard worker who volunteered for numerous clubs and out-of-class activities, and she was an excellent communicator with parents. She will be dearly missed. We ask that you keep Ms. Howell’s family in your thoughts and prayers at this time."

Lynne Nichols, who was at Roland W. Russom Elementary Wednesday morning, posted this on the school's Facebook page:

"Life is so precious, fragile & unpredictable. We just never know when our last breath will be, so hold your loved ones tight & love them like there’s no tomorrow.

Today will be another very rough day for many who are still learning about the loss of a 4th grade Teacher at my youngest granddaughters school due to an automobile accident yesterday morning.

Please keep the students, staff, her family & all who knew & loved her in your prayers.

My heart goes out to all as Heaven welcomes another Angel home.

Rest in the sweetest of peace, Emily Howell...

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