18 | December 3, 2014 | Milton Herald | miltonherald.com
SCHOOLS
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Winners from Northeast Learning Community School Teacher of the Year Professional of the Year Abbotts Hill ES Amber Coxwell Bonnie Roles Barnwell ES Melissa Nail Paula Cattanach Dolvin ES Rebekah McGowan Kara Schwede Findley Oaks ES Kate Pornsopone Karen Reed Hillside ES Jennifer Sweigart Chandler Deas Esther Jackson ES Allison Maselli Emily Merkle Medlock Bridge ES Lauren Burnette Betty Pippin Northwood ES Amanda Clifton Mack Ervin Ocee ES Shannan LaPorte Christy Mallein River Eves ES Nancy Brockington Cecilla Panizo Shakerag ES Kellie Segraves Max Lapushin State Bridge Crossing ES Allison Elder Holly Berg Wilson Creek ES Jennifer Kosciow MJ Sturgeon Autrey Mill MS Lisi Furman Robyn Magnussen Haynes Bridge MS Chris Chang Jessica Karp Holcomb Bridge MS Lauren Dykstra Rosemary Pforsich River Trail MS Jennifer Lee Regina Christian Taylor Road MS Melissa Hartfield Gerilyn Robbins Centennial HS Amanda Otto Phyllis Newhall Chattahoochee HS James “Blake” Stetson Liz Marinelli Johns Creek HS Roya Schweinbeck Carol Matthieson Northview HS Josh Lee Linda Robinson KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
Professional of the Year for Wilson Creek ES M.J. Sturgeon and Teacher of the Year for Wilson Creek ES Jennifer Kosciow pose for pictures with their awards.
Fulton recognizes school system’s top employees By KATHLEEN STURGEON kathleen@appenmediagroup.com FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The Atlanta Hawks cheerleaders, multiple high school marching bands and two new cars were only a few ways Fulton County Schools (FCS) celebrated its Teachers and Professionals of the Year Nov. 14. The district’s annual recognition luncheon was held at the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 International Blvd. NW, and had over 1,000 in attendance. The guest list included employees, business partners and special guests, including Donna Lowry, kids and schools reporter from WXIA 11Alive, as the emcee. Jennifer Sweigart from Hillside Elementary School was honored as FCS’s Teacher of the Year while Kindra Smith of Roswell North Elementary School was recognized as the district’s Principal of the Year. Both received new cars that they will be able to use for a year. Olivia Gonzalez, a bilingual parent liaison at Riverwood International Charter School, was honored as the school Professional of the Year. Larry Keen, a bus driver with the transportation department, was honored as the Support Professional of the Year. Fulton School Superintendent Dr. Robert Avossa said he was proud of all FCS employees. “What I learned in over 20 years of education is people
matter the most,” said Avossa. “We have to take a team approach. People are turning to teachers to solve problems. At Fulton County Schools, we’re solving those problems.” He also spoke about how the employees motivate him to do his job better. “I came to inspire you today,” said Avossa, “but each and every one of you inspires me. The reality is I love our teachers the most.”
Winners from Northwest Learning Community School Teacher of the Year Alpharetta ES Paula Moore Birmingham Falls ES Amanda Jeffery Cogburn Woods ES Julie Rothman Crabapple Crossing ES Anne Bopp Creekview ES Mollie DeCouto Hembree Springs ES Sarah Yoo Lake Windward ES Anne McKown Manning Oaks ES Kristina Whitley Mountain Park ES Ashley Polito New Prospect ES Carol Moore Roswell North ES Lauren O’Prey Summit Hill ES Christine Terrell Sweet Apple ES Rebecca Blackman Crabapple MS Julia Claire Hires Elkins Pointe MS Miyuki Johnson Hopewell MS Teresa Lynn Hoebeke Northwestern MS Julie Zahner Bailey Webb Bridge MS Susie L. McFarland Alpharetta HS Michael Nance Cambridge HS Brian Wynne Independence HS Linda Legros Milton HS Allison Gonding Roswell HS Megan Volpert
Professional of the Year Judy Jones Deidre Fann Brenda Miller Lynn Greene Rosny Benjamin Donna Lagimoniere Suzie Orr Irene Salerno Mariclaire Blackburn RuVae Roberts Trey Thomas Kimberly Thompson Joan Willoughby Linda Porter Denise Lewis Holly Schmidt Pam Paugh LaJuan McGill Amilia Cadet Mike Bostardi Kathy Hard Tammy Jones Jennifer Hooper
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
KATHLEEN STURGEON/STAFF
Hopewell Professional of the Year Holly Schmidt poses with Kimberly Thompson, Summit Hill Professional of the Year.
State Bridge Crossing ES Professional of the Year Holly Berg celebrates with Julie Rothman, Cogburn Woods ES Teacher of the Year and Allison Elder, State Bridge Crossing ES Teacher of the Year.