2018
ANNUAL REPORT
Educators leave the profession due to low pay, lack of professional development opportunities, and the feeling that they do not have a voice. Together we can work to make a dierence.
Above: 2015 winner Dave Howland. Cover: 2015 winner Dr. Kara Cowdrick congratulates 2016 winner Tisha Williamson.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard it said, “Teachers don’t do it for the recognition.” No. They don’t. But it sure is nice to recognize them anyway. Recognizing educators is just the beginning, at least for us. In 2018 we identified and celebrated seven additional outstanding educators from Metro Atlanta public schools. These dynamic teachers and leaders joined more than 100 other top performing educators as members of our Winners’ Circle. This group works hard to stay connected, support each other through crossdistrict collaborations and expand their impact on their schools and communities. This work to expand their impact has never been more evident as it was during our December conference Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers (ECET2) Atlanta. This conference was designed and implemented by our Winners’ Circle members with the needs of teachers in mind. Our Winners’ Circle led most of the break out sessions, and were featured speakers during the general sessions (along with OTHER outstanding Metro Atlanta teachers and leaders!). The conference, free of cost to educators in our partner districts, was an opportunity for educators to grow, collaborate, and lead in ways that enhance their capacity as both leaders and instructional providers. 2018 also marked the inception of some truly impressive school-based projects funded as part of our Empower program. From digital storytelling and investigations into identity to developing entrepreneurs and a 4 H club, the educators of the 2018 AFAEE cohort showed us that by believing and supporting the ideas of teachers and leaders, students’ lives change for the better. It has been a wonderful year, but there is much more to do. Teachers have one of the highest turnover rates of any profession, impacting thousands of students in our communities every year. We know that great educators leave the profession due to low pay, lack of professional development opportunities, and the feeling that they do not have a voice. We also know that, with your help, there is something we can do to support great teachers staying in the classroom. Together, we can recognize and support the professionals who are making the biggest difference for our children every single day. With your partnership, we work to elevate the quality of public education by identifying excellent educators and empowering them to expand their impact. Thank you for believing in our mission, thank you for believing in our teachers, and thank you for your commitment to our children. It’s been a great year. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education Executive Director Kori Smith and award winner Amber Simmons.
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | 2
OUR MISSION To elevate the quality of public education by identifying excellent educators and empowering them to expand their impact.
TABLE OF CONTENTS A Message from Executive Director Kori Smith ........... 2 Our Mission ........................................... 3 Table of Contents ................................. 4 Dawn Parker .......................................... 5 Claudia Fitzwater .................................. 7 What We Do ........................................... 8 Tracey Pendley ...................................... 9 Financial Overview ............................... 10 Nicole Thompson ................................. 11 Our Impact ............................................. 12 Toni Johnson .......................................... 13 ECET2 Atlanta ........................................ 14 Dr. Jennifer Blodgett ............................ 15 Join Our Mission ................................... 16 Dr. Amber Simmons ............................ 17 Board of Directors ............................... 18
2018 PRINCIPAL WINNER
DAWN PARKER
PRINCIPAL, ALONZO A. CRIM OPEN CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOL ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS “In moments I’ve questioned whether I was the best person to serve in this role. Sometimes I even questioned my sanity. Not because of the students, but because it felt like my job didn’t matter to those not living in “our” non-traditional world. We are so often overlooked and underserved, the battle always heavy and sometimes lonely. You’ve really made a difference in my
life as an educator. You’ve rejuvenated my spirit and my heart. For that, I am appreciative and humbled.” > 5 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018
The results from a recent survey of the Crim Open Campus High School community reminded Principal Dawn Parker that her team serves a truly high need population: 100% of the students receive free breakfast and lunch; 58% feel that they must work in order to support their families; and 32% are teen parents. Many of the students share a bed with a sibling, while others do not have a bed at all. Through conversation, the administrative team could also identify high points as well. A successful school partnership with a furniture company had been established, and several faculty and sta members, who were also tradesmen, were ready to jump in and help. The furniture company was willing to provide new furniture in need of minor repairs for free as often as requested, and the tradesmen were willing to teach students their valuable trade. This led to the conception of the School Business Enterprise Club which provides students the opportunity to learn new skills and acquire leadership while providing furniture for their families and community members in need. In order to fund the School Business Enterprise Club, Dawn applied to, and won, the Atlanta Families’ Award for Excellence in Education. The AFAEE project stipend allowed Principal Parker to move forward with her project with an overall aim of improving student outcomes and providing nice, new, refurbished furniture at aordable prices for the families throughout the Crim community.
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | 6
2018 TEACHER WINNER
CLAUDIA FITZWATER SPANISH / ROBOTICS DREW CHARTER SCHOOL ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“Your contribution brings innovation into my classroom and closes gaps in technology access and curriculum, reaching students that are often left behind. Your generosity will help my students to create rather than consume video games; they will learn and apply foreign language standards, computer and science standards and social emotional skills. Thank you for making a difference!” 7 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018
WHAT WE DO 1
IDENTIFY
We identify and celebrate top performing educators. • Rigorous vetting process • Surprise Days • Awards Ceremony
2
EMPOWER
We empower excellent educators by providing resources and support. • Project funding and support • High leverage professional development opportunities • Winners’ Circle membership
3 We work to expand the impact winners have on their students, schools, and communities.
EXPAND
• Winners’ Circle Annual Summit • Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers (ECET2) Atlanta Convening • Publish professional development resources for public use ANNUAL REPORT 2018 | 8
2018 TEACHER WINNER
TRACEY PENDLEY 4TH GRADE BURGESS-PETERSON ACADEMY ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS “Winning the Atlanta Families’ Award this year set me on the path to my dreams coming true – to positively impact the educational outcomes of my urban students in all the ways that my greatest teachers impacted me. Because of
your gift, more than 60 students will get to experience the joy of developing a new skill and being a part of something bigger than themselves. Being a part of 4-H,
creating and presenting projects, and attending 4-H Summer Camp can be life changing!”
9 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW We are so grateful to committed donors and supporters, both individual and corporate, whose generosity allows the Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education to identify, empower and expand the impact of Metro Atlanta’s best educators. Our EIN Number is 47-4365375
SUPPORT AND REVENUE CONTRIBUTIONS Individual............................................................$35,055 Private/Family Foundations........................... $168,700 Corporate Foundations.................................. $22,500 Corporate Support and Sponsorships....... $19,496 Gift In Kind......................................................... $12,034
TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS............ $258,384
EXPENSES Program Services............................................. $228,207 Fundraising........................................................ $26,946 Administrative................................................... $33,778
TOTAL EXPENSES...............................$288,931
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2018 TEACHER WINNER
NICOLE THOMPSON ORCHESTRA, TAYLOR ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL FULTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS “I am sincerely grateful for the investment you have made in the education of my students as well as the impact you will have on our community. My students’ projects will bring joy through our music collaborations to enrich the lives of the residents in local assisted living homes. It is exciting to see my students learn and grow through the process of creating and sharing their projects with others. Thank you again for this wonderful invest-
ment to enrich the lives of our children in education.” 11 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018
OUR IMPACT AFAEE partners with
the 5 largest Metro Atlanta public school districts:
• Atlanta Public School • Cobb County Public Schools • DeKalb County Public Schools • Fulton County Public Schools • Gwinnett County Public Schools
96%
More than of our previously awarded Winners’ Circle Members still currently impact education or are retired from a full career as an educator.
74%
of Atlanta Families' Awards for Excellence in Education funded projects are implemented in Title I schools.
130
Teachers and Leaders Awarded by AFAEE
10,000+ Students Impacted in the Metro Atlanta Area.
86%
of AFAEE’s previously awarded Winners’ Circle Members still work in one of our 5 partner districts or are retired from a full career in that district.
2018 TEACHER WINNER
TONI JOHNSON 9TH GRADE, WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL FULTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
“I have chosen to utilize my project funds to allow my students to decide how to best spend the award in their own communities. After studying the classic text The Odyssey, students will create community service projects, thus expanding the impact of this award to the students and our community as well. To equip my
students with the 21st Century skills necessary to be successful in today’s workforce is invaluable. Thank you for being a part of this experience.” 13 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018
In December 2018, AFAEE hosted the Elevating and Celebrating Excellent Teaching and Teachers (ECET2) Atlanta conference for 160 outstanding Metro Atlanta teachers and leaders. ECET2 Atlanta is an opportunity for educators to grow, collaborate, and lead in ways that enhance their capacity as leaders and instructional providers.
131 teachers
15 in district positions
14 school-based admins
ATLANTA
89 (56%) work in Title I schools
BREAK OUT SESSION SURVEY RESULTS How satisfied were you with the session content?
How relevant was this session to your professional growth?
How satisfied were you with the quality of the speaker(s)?
How easily will you be able to implement / use the information gained?
“Excellent, wish I could give you MORE than 4 stars!”
“The info and help I got from this presentation greatly surpassed my expectations.”
“Wow! I wanted to run through a brick wall to reach my goals by the end!”
“Looking forward to using the talent mapping protocol with all the collaborative teams I lead.”
3.8/4
3.8/4
3.9/4
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
3.8/4
2018 TEACHER WINNER
DR. JENNIFER BLODGETT ADVANCED CONTENT READING & MATH PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS “As a school, we have recognized the need to increase the motivation and academic performance of our gifted population. My project will engage my students by allowing them to showcase samples of their best work in creative and unique ways, while engaging in 21st century skill development. These alternative modes of expression will promote an increase in student achievement, collaboration, and self-esteem. The teaching profession allows educators to leave a handprint on the future. This
award will positively affect students for generations to come. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.” 15 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018
JOIN
OUR MISSION
Our mission is supported by individuals, foundations, and businesses who understand the importance of educators to elevating educational outcomes across Metro Atlanta. There are many ways to support the program -- large and small -- and we are always looking for new supporters.
DONATE FINANCIALLY
IN KIND DONATIONS HOST FUNDRAISERS
When you give to Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education, you’re funding everything from literacy materials and tools needed to build learning gardens, to complete STEM classrooms and full educator awards. Your gift inspires teachers and enriches the lives of children across Metro Atlanta. Give today! Whether you’re donating physcial materials to implement and expand projects, or gifting your services to help bring our mission to life, the contribution you make is meaningful and appreciated. The value of your personal advocacy and support, the introductions you facilitate and the time you dedicate to our cause can’t be overstated. Contact us to learn about hosting fundraisers to further our goals and make a positive impact on our childrens’ lives.
Visit ATLANTAFAMILIES.ORG/DONATE to learn more.
2018 TEACHER WINNER
DR. AMBER SIMMONS 11TH/12TH GRADE BROOKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS “Because of your support, students will understand how language is not only something to be studied, but that it is also something that can be used to persuade others and beautify our world. Because of this project, students will continue to see the relationship between language and power and to use their words in a meaningful way to empower others and themselves, creating a stronger community and world. In this, you are helping me
grow more than just plants; you are nurturing the growth of productive citizens.”
17 | ANNUAL REPORT 2018
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BOARD OFFICERS
BOARD MEMBERS
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Shelby Senzer Chair
Shayna Gaspard
John Ahman
Head of Growth & Customer Experience, 2ULaundry
Dr. Rubye Sullivan Vice Chair Sr. Assoc. for Education Achievement, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Ted Griffith Treasurer
Principal, Eco Terra Management, LLC.
Katie Michaels McDowell Secretary
Director of Development for Strategic Partnerships, The Lovett School
Operational Effectiveness Professional, Independent Non-Profit Consultant
Simms Jenkins
Executive Director, Westside Future Fund
J. Cannon Carr
Founder & CEO, BrightWave Marketing
Chief Investment Officer, CornerCap Investment Counsel
Ned Michaels
Erroll Davis
Host/Analyst, CBS, Fox Sports, (USGA), Direct TV, PGA Tour Entertainment /PGATour.com, “Tips from the Pro”
Benjamin Portman Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley
Ryan Shepard
President, Purpose Built schools
Megan Watson
Senior Advisor, T alentQuest
Will duPont Partner, LiquidHub
Cynthia Kuhlman Director of Educational Achievement, CF Foundation, Inc.
Travis Norvell
Strategy Management Program Director, Atlanta Public Schools
Kelley York ELA Consultant/ LDC Specialist, Metro RESA
Robert Fortson
Partner, McGuire Woods
Robyn Kranz
Partner, Brownieland Pictures, LLC.
Small Business Field Account Manager, UnitedHealth Group
Prescott Miller Parliamentarian Managing Director, Round Hill Capital LLC.
Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education co-founders Edward G. Michaels III and Katie Michaels McDowell Photo Credit, Ashley Kennedy Photography
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ATLANTA FAMILIES’ AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION 1266 W Paces Ferry Rd., #151 Atlanta, GA 30327 atlfamiliesawards.org info@atlantafamilies.org
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