S O U V E N I R P R O G R A M

2020

Recognition for the Fulton County Schools Teachers, Professionals

and Partners of the Year.

Congratulations to the

2020Legacy of Excellence Awards

Teachers, Professionals and

Partners of the Year.

3

Virtual Event ProgramOPENING REMARKS

Mike Looney, Superintendent, Fulton County Schools

EMCEERashan Ali

ELEMENTARY HONOREES

Overall School Professional of the Year

Ms. Renisha Smith, Mountain Park ES

ENTERTAINMENTNathan Haydel, Westlake High School

Performing “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway

WELCOMEMrs. Julia Bernath, School Board President

COMMUNITY PARTNER RECOGNITIONMrs. Kimberly Dove, School Board Vice President

MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOREES

Overall Support Professional of the Year

Ms. Daffany Reed, Talent Division

ENTERTAINMENTString Quartet Performance by Katie Chong, Isabella Lin, Ethan Loy, Cal Walrath, and Madeline Summers

Johns Creek High School

HIGH SCHOOL HONOREES

ENTERTAINMENTMarimba Soloist, Jonah Schertz, Milton High School

Overall Teacher of the Year Recognition Presented by Chief Academic Officer, Clifford Jones

Gift Presentation by Stephen Smith, Family First Credit UnionPresentation of Traveling Trophy by Pamela Whitlock, Former FCS Teacher of the Year

Overall Teacher of the Year Kelsey Drews, Heritage Elementary School

4

COMMENTS FROM DR. LOONEY:

As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed the face of education. Last year’s sudden shuttering of our school buildings forced us to face unprecedented jarring and rapid changes in our profession. I am so proud of how our employees handled this extraordinary challenge, and even though we are still in uncharted territory, Fulton County Schools has stayed committed to supporting our students, employees and families.

Legacy of Excellence is one of the ways we show that Relationships Matter. By celebrating our people, we help grow our culture. That is why it is important that we continue to take opportunities like these to recognize our teachers, support staff and business partners.

To our honorees, and all our staff and teachers, I hope you feel valued and special, and know that you make a difference. Thank you for continuing to put students first. You make me very proud.

Thank you!

LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE AMBASSADORS

Melissa BacileDeidra Dozier

Tiffany GleatonSelecia Golden

Samantha MaxeyConnie MichelDeidra Nealy

Courtney Powell

Alphia PriceLaVera TrosclairBetty Weekley

5

COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD:

BOARD OF EDUCATIONJulia C. Bernath, President

Kimberly Dove, Vice PresidentGail Dean • Linda McCain • Katie Reeves

Katha Stuart • Franchesca Warren

Mike Looney, Ed.D., Superintendent

Congratulations to the 2020 Legacy of

Excellence winners. We are proud of your

achievements and grateful to each of you for

your commitment to our students.

6

OVERALL TEACHER OF THE YEAR Kelsey Drews, Heritage Elementary School

As a child, Heritage Elementary School second grade teacher Kelsey Drews struggled to find a place where she fit in. She was the kind of student who brought caterpillars and toads into the classroom and had trouble staying in her seat.

“Because of my experience as a child, I understand the importance and positive impact that a teacher can have in a student’s life,” she says. “Each day, I reflect on my interactions and teaching practices to ensure that I am pushing my students to not only achieve socially and emotionally, but also academically. I strive every day to be the person that makes them feel safe and loved.”

Ms. Drews sees her role in the classroom as a facilitator, nurturer, and coach. “My kids know that once they entered the classroom they became “my kids.” They know that does not change when they move schools, move to the next grade, or graduate.”

Ms. Drews has been in the public school system for seven years. She has served as grade level chair for three of her five years at Fulton County Schools. Her commitment to students goes beyond the classroom. When she is not teaching, she dedicates her time as a committee member with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). She is also a member of the Heritage Elementary Literacy Committee and coaches high school Water Polo for Wheeler High School on weeknights and weekends.

Ms. Drews constantly shows love and care for her students and school. Whether it be through her development of a snack pantry for students in need or raising money for school buses so her students would have the opportunity to experience a field trip, she always puts her students first.

“The most rewarding part of my job does not come from test scores or data points,” says Drews. “My rewards are seeing my students successful, proud and confident in what they do.”

“ Each day, I reflect on my

interactions and teaching

practices to ensure that

I am pushing my students

to not only achieve socially

and emotionally, but also

academically. I strive every

day to be the person that makes

them feel safe and loved.”

7

OVERALL SCHOOL PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Ms. Renisha Smith, Mountain Park ES

As Mountain Park Elementary School’s Curriculum Support Teacher (CST), Renisha Smith is known as a leader and collaboration builder. She functions in many roles, from facilitating grade-level Professional Learning Communities, to coaching paraprofessionals on best practices, to providing creative strategies for teachers to grow professionally. “Ms. Smith is a servant leader,” says Mountain Park Principal Stacey Perlman. “She works tirelessly to involve teachers in working together to solve problems.”

Renisha began her career in Fulton 14 years ago as an Instructional Paraprofessional at Esther Jackson Elementary School and became certified in Elementary Education, TAG and Special Education. She has worked in remedial support with Special Ed and ESOL students, written curriculum units for grade levels, provided resources for parents to support their children’s learning and was voted Teacher of the Year for 2009-2010. Always the team player, Renisha loves to share victories with her peers. “I learned that if I was doing something well in my classroom,” she said, “it was imperative to share it with my colleagues to ensure that we were meeting the needs of all our students for the greater good.” As the Special Education Department Chair, she served as a New Teacher Mentor and developed a special gift for taking good care of new teachers, a skill she is known for at Mountain Park.

In addition to being Mountain Park’s CST, Renisha serves as the school’s GO TIP Induction Advisor (helping transition new teachers), a Professional Learning Facilitator, a Design Team member (solving problems strategically and with empathy) and School Governance Parliamentarian. If that is not enough, on the district level she also leads a team of 30 Teacher Selectors to process data for teacher candidates in the Talent Division. Liz Young, Talent Coordinator, says that under her leadership, the Central Selection Team has become a well-oiled machine, and has successfully screened over 23,000 applications. “This team is run so well,” Young says, “that we have a saying: ‘Call 9-1-1. Then call Renisha.’”

Renisha’s professionalism is a reflection of her reputation. Colleagues in all areas of her work life attest to her aptitude for leadership and valuable support, how she is effective at a high level as well as behind the scenes.

“Because of the many leadership opportunities, I have been afforded in Fulton County,” she says, “it has been so important for me to pay it forward. I work very hard to maintain a trusting and supportive rapport among colleagues, parents, and students.”

“ I learned that if I was doing

something well in my classroom, it

was imperative to share it with my

colleagues to ensure that we were

meeting the needs of all our students

for the greater good.”

8

OVERALL SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Ms. Daffany Reed, Talent Division

“ What excites me about

FCS is we have an

outstanding Professional

Learning department

that affords employees an

opportunity to develop and

learn continually.”

Daffany Reed is the Fulton County Schools’ Central Office Support Professional of the Year for 2020. A Professional Assistant III, she provides award winning administrative support to the Chief Talent Officer and Executive Director, Talent Operations/Staffing.

“During my tenure, I have worked with a number of extraordinary people who have exemplified the desired work ethic of this district,” said Chief Talent Officer Ronnie Wade. “Daffany Reed is without question one of those people. She consistently has stood ready to do what’s needed to help her teammates and the mission of the Talent Division, and our district. She deserves the Professional of the Year honor.”

Reed was in the first graduating class for the Office Management/Financial Management Certification program and was Employee of the Year for the Talent Division for 2017-2019. She has been an Employee of the Year Nominee for the Central Office Support Professional from 2017-2019. As co-chair of the Fulton CARES Wellness Initiative Steering Committee, she helped enable thousands of FCS employees to learn more about health and wellness.

A 2019 graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a Master of Public Administration, Reed is an avid believer in knowledge. “What excites me about FCS is we have an outstanding Professional Learning department that affords employees an opportunity to develop and learn continually,” she said. “The program utilizes some of the top learning institutes and instructors at no direct cost to the employee. Utilizing my newly learned skills, I find new and improved avenues for redefining the work.”

9

2020 EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR – CENTRAL OFFICE

Angela BackmonAcademics

Carol YacovellaSuperintendent/Communications

Rocheen PearsonInformation Technology

Nick BarozziniMaintenance

Norma SantillanOperations

Devynn HarrisTransportation

10

2020 EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

Abbotts Hill Elementary Lori Jeneff Sharon King

Alpharetta Elementary Katie Turner Amanda Groover

Asa Hilliard Elementary Candice Johnson Ivy Adkins

Barnwell Elementary Tara Roper Abby Shapiro

Bethune, Mary Mcleod Elementary Kimberly James

Birmingham Falls Elementary Adrienne Ambrose Darci Costanzo

Brookview Elementary Merinda Baker Temeka Freeman

Campbell Elementary Brittany Bugeja Marskca Kelley

Cliftondale Elementary Yazmin Hicks Princess Pelzer

Cogburn Woods Elementary Stephanie Blamires Cindy Lentz

College Park Elementary Courtney Cunningham Cassie Bush

Conley Hills Elementary Tammy Powell Sylvia Davis-Martin

Crabapple Crossing Elementary Jaime Berens Lynn Greene

Creek View Elementary Cathy Schefer Lajuan McGill

Dolvin Elementary Allison Polaski Ashley Passarelli

Dunwoody Springs Elementary Yusra Faridi Ashley Reimenschnieder

Feldwood Elementary Chandra Chapman Sherry Powell

Findley Oaks Elementary Jana Paulk Renee Morris

Gullatt, C.H. Elementary Trevarous Guffie Munifah Ziegler

Hapeville Elementary Thomas Bussey Diana Fuentes

Heards Ferry Elementary Dr. Theresa Brown

Hembree Springs Elementary Aarti Nangia Laura Fudali

Heritage Elementary Kelsey Drews Toi Wilson

High Point Elementary Megan Eigel Vickie Reeves

Hillside Elementary Priscilla Carter Darlene Lemcoe

Holmes, Hamilton E Elementary Shalina Hill-Germany

Ison Springs Elementary Erin Fitzgerald Yudri Rene

Jackson, Esther S. Elementary Christopher Massie Virginia “Ginny” Walker

Lake Forest Elementary Christina Duncan Michelle Srivastava

Lake Windward Elementary Erin Bridges Anne McKown

Lee, Seaborn Elementary Quajulan Wimberly Dana Nelson

Lewis, S.L. Elementary Charli Eason Shantè Bates

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

11

2020 EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

Liberty Point Elementary Anika Perry Alexandria Elikwu

Manning Oaks Elementary Gretchen Weiland Sarah Hopkins

Medlock Bridge Elementary Rachel Jackson

Mimosa Elementary Kaldia Racine

Mountain Park Elementary Kelly Canavan Renisha Smith

New Prospect Elementary Lindsey King Cindy Heibel

Nolan, Love T. Elementary Tori Rogers Dartanion Middlebrooks

Northwood Elementary Angie Beck

Oakley Elementary Lakesia Lawrence Petrice Grier

Ocee Elementary Krista Greenemeier Erica Mulder

Palmetto Elementary Erin Gillis Gustarva Foster

Parklane Elementary Chelsea Little Precious Beasley

Randolph, A. Philip Elementary Jessica Taylor Shena Small

Renaissance Elementary Diane Williams Terri Sewell

River Eves Elementary Lisa Lyles Madeline Vogel

Roswell North Elementary Brittney Martin Leigh Murrieta

Shakerag Elementary Sally Petty

Spalding Drive Elementary Emily Pledger John Culver

State Bridge Crossing Elementary Laurie Olandt Chad Cribbs

Stonewall Tell Elementary Natalie Rachel Lisa Healy

Summit Hill Elementary Deb Leeson Nancy Wroblewski

Sweet Apple Elementary Jessica Holcombe Beth Clavier

Vickery Mill Elementary Grace Cutler Marcel Walker

West, Evoline C. Elementary Datoria Stanley Deneatrice Harrison

Wilson Creek Elementary Genevieve Flett Wanda Moran

Wolf Creek Elementary Janella Spear-Ellison

Woodland Elementary Meghan Smith

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

12

2020 EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

Autrey Mill Middle Kim Brill Martha Bongiorno

Bear Creek Middle Stormy Bradley Apollo Sansom

Camp Creek Middle Jacqueline Souffrant Anita Davis

Crabapple Middle Melissa King Yvette Thomas

Elkins Pointe Middle Monique Erskine-Wilson Denise Lewis

Haynes Bridge Middle Nita Coloma

Holcomb Bridge Middle Harveen Bindra Susan Johnson

Hopewell Middle Allyson Segal Michelle Lamkin

Mcnair, Ronald E. Middle Beverly Green

Northwestern Middle Kelley Hummel Daniel Szathmary

Renaissance Middle Shinelle Henderson Arlevia Carter

Ridgeview Charter Middle Micah Tucker Gregory Brown

River Trail Middle Grace Hernandez Lori Lahmann

Sandtown Middle LaToya Baker

Sandy Springs Middle Ralph Favors

Taylor Road Middle Jacinth Warner Ron Huggins

Webb Bridge Middle Debbie Sheftel Juilee Vanhorse

West, Paul D. Middle Angela Wilborn Lauren Bean

Woodland Middle Tiffany Stoney LaVar Hickerson

MIDDLE SCHOOLS TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

13

2020 EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

HIGH SCHOOLS TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Alpharetta High Derek Wright Robert Bennett

Banneker, Benjamin High Yolanda Goggins Keith Sims

Cambridge High Harold Funderburk Lee Leathers

Centennial High Pamela Bullard Cassie Stisher

Chattahoochee High Ben Salba Ronda Harris

Creekside High Carmen Kinnebrew Margie Russell

Independence High Gaganjot Singh Brett Szymendera

Johns Creek High Rina Wenum

Langston Hughes High Slone Malone Yvonne Isom

Mcclarin High Carolyn Rooks Freddie Collins

Milton High Debra Schaefer Caron Kelly

North Springs High Christine Pekatos

Northview High Crystal Kehres Brian Collins

Riverwood High Joel Kadish

Roswell High Rebecca Glover Valerie Rogers

Tri-Cities High Antoine Thompson Abigail Winkles

Westlake High Cedric Young Ouida Burke

14

Send Relief When schools were forced to close in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fulton County Schools (FCS) felt obligated to continue its free meal services to families. The food distribution program helps families who receive free and reduced-price meals. When the demand required more help, the faith community, including the North American Mission Board (NAMB), was at the top of the contact list.

FCS needed help to store their perishable dairy items. NAMB and their Send Relief trucks quickly came to the rescue. They went above and beyond by securing two Send Relief semi-trailers with climate control from out of state, allowing them to receive and store over 20 pallets of groceries.

They also used their volunteers, who were more than eager to assist by loading and distributing the grocery items to local houses of worship, where families in need picked up the items.

Other important partners who participated in this service project include: The Atlanta Community Food Bank, who donated the groceries, Alpharetta First Baptist Church, Chapel Hill Church Atlanta, East Point First Mallalieu UMC, Elizabeth Baptist Church, Impact Ministries, North Point Community Church, Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Roswell Presbyterian Church, and World Harvest Church.

Your contributions, collaborations, and teamwork helped so many families in our community. Thanks for all that you do.

2020 PARTNERS OF THE YEARThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a worldwide impact. The effects have left many to cope with the changes and challenges and in some instances, brought people closer to help those in need. Thanks to our partners,

families in Fulton County know that when times get tough, help is just a phone call away.

15

United Way In partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, United Way assisted the district with securing the COVID-19 Community Recovery and Response Fund.

The $300,000 grant helped many families in crisis because of the pandemic. The funds were explicitly used for housing help, food security, transportation security (so that families could travel to receive assistance), and mental health support. These resources were critical to Fulton County families when many found themselves out of work, at risk of being evicted, and needing the basics to take care of their families. United Way of Greater Atlanta brings together people and resources to tackle complex issues and drive sustainable positive change to help our community thrive.

MedShare COVID-19 brought a new set of challenges for educators and leaders throughout Atlanta. Supporting and protecting children requiring ongoing in-person learning and other service delivery had to be a priority. Critical to the greater community was limiting the spread of COVID-19 among Fulton County School students, their families, and the educators who continue to serve them.

Working with the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, MedShare distributed almost 30,000 Disney reusable face coverings to Fulton County School administrators at no cost to the district. “Children in underserved communities have been subject to so many adjustments and limitations during the pandemic. Witnessing the smiles in their eyes behind masks displaying beloved Disney characters has brought comfort to their families, supporters, and community,” said Charles Redding, CEO & President of MedShare. “MedShare is proud to have played a role in protecting so many children, one of Fulton County’s most valuable assets.”

Thank you to our partners for your work with Fulton County Schools students, faculty, families, and the community at large.

2020 PARTNERS OF THE YEAR

16

Thank You for Sponsoring the Legacy of Excellence Awards

www.fultonschools.org6201 Powers Ferry Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30339 | (470) 254-3600

Twitter.com/FultonCoSchools | Facebook.com/FultonCountySchools