2019 CCSD Support Staff Employee of the Year Awards
Carmel Elementary School kindergarten paraprofessional reacts with shock to learn she is the CCSD Support Staff Employee of the Year from all elementary schools.
NOTE: A gallery of photos from the event is posted online here. To read more about all of the school and division honorees, please click here.
The Cherokee County School District celebrated the important role of support staff at its inaugural Support Staff Employee of the Year Awards on Tuesday evening.
The celebration honored one Support Staff Employee of the Year from each of CCSD’s schools, centers and central office divisions. Each of the 46 honorees was recognized by the Superintendent of Schools and School Board members, received a plaque and gifts of appreciation including a $100 Visa card funded by sponsors, and enjoyed a reception with their family, Principals and other CCSD leaders.
At the conclusion of the evening, surprise presentations were made to one overall CCSD winner each in three categories: Elementary School to Carmel Elementary School kindergarten paraprofessional Sharon Borg; Middle School/High School/Centers to Woodstock High School Principal’s secretary Carol Pontius; and Central Office to CCSD Payroll Clerk Tammie Collis. These overall winners were selected by a committee of retired educators and community leaders.
“When we announced the creation of these awards, I referred to them as ‘long-overdue,’ which is very true. They’re also very well-deserved,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said to the audience of honorees and their guests. “For those who don’t know our School District as well as we all do, they may think it just takes teachers and Principals to run a successful school. But, as we all know, our support staff makes up half of our CCSD family. Your work is important. You are important. We value you.”
The event and gifts for honorees were made possible by generous donations from community partners including Presenting Sponsor, the Cherokee County Educational Foundation; Platinum Sponsors, ABM Industry Groups, LLC and Credit Union of Georgia; and Silver Sponsors, MealsPlus and Jennie-O.
The three overall CCSD winners additionally received gift certificates donated by Practically Perfect Day Spa and Riverstone Corner Bistro and a $250 Visa gift card funded by sponsor donations.
As part of the presentation to the three overall winners, excerpts from the nomination forms were shared to give the audience of greater sense of their value to their school and community.
CCSD Chief Financial Officer Ken Owen in his nomination of Ms. Collis, who has served CCSD for 19 years with five in her current role, wrote:
“When we began implementing Kronos as the School District’s human resources and payroll system almost four years ago, Tammie accepted the challenge that followed and used it as an opportunity to further develop her knowledge of payroll and greatly expand her value to the department. It should be noted that not all staff members were able to make this change. Tammie did so with a smile on her face and a positive attitude, even during the toughest of days.”
Carmel Elementary School Principal Paula Crumbley in her nomination of Ms. Borg, who has served in her role for 25 years, wrote:
“When we think of Ms. Borg, we think of Mountain Dew, her favorite drink. She epitomizes the 1993 slogan, ‘Do the Dew,’ which associated Mountain Dew with youthful outdoor activities and daredevil antics. Ms. Borg helps us all stay young through her endless energy and can-do attitude. She is our own daredevil, as nothing is beneath her, and she never backs down. Ms. Borg is one of the best parts of Carmel, and we are so appreciative for her each day.”
Woodstock High School Principal Mark Smith in his nomination of Ms. Pontius, who has served in her role for six years, wrote:
“Each month, Woodstock High School sends out a survey for everyone to nominate a staff member and faculty member of the month. Not a single month has gone by this school year when Carol has not been nominated. Carol helps others without complaining. She would go without her own lunch if she thought you were hungry. She is encouraging to everyone, and she never has a negative thing to say. She can turn around your day with her kindness. She is one of those people who others aspire to be like.”
Everyone who works in a support role was eligible for their school’s or division’s honor, and honorees were selected by their school or division colleagues. Teachers, counselors, media specialists and administrators were not eligible, as they are honored through other awards programs.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower congratulates CCSD Payroll Clerk Tammie Collis as CCSD Support Staff Employee of the Year from all central office staff.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower congratulates Woodstock High School Principal's secretary Carol Pontius as CCSD Support Staff Employee of the Year from all high schools/middle schools/centers.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower congratulates Carmel Elementary School kindergarten paraprofessional Sharon Borg, center, as CCSD Support Staff Employee of the Year from all elementary schools. Joining her in the celebration is Principal Paula Crumbley.
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The Cherokee County School District next month will present its first-ever Support Staff Employee of the Year Awards!
The celebration on March 5 will honor one Support Staff Employee of the Year from each of CCSD’s schools, centers and central office divisions. Each honoree will be recognized by the Superintendent of Schools and School Board members, receive a plaque and gifts of appreciation, and enjoy a reception with their family and Principal.
At the conclusion of the evening, surprise presentations will be made to one overall CCSD winner each in three categories: Elementary School; Middle School/High School/Centers; Central Office. These winners are selected by a committee of retired educators and community leaders.
“While teachers may be the employees most associated with a school, our school district could not succeed without the other half of our workforce: our valued support staff,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “This recognition is long overdue, and we’re so proud of each of them and the work they do to serve our students. They keep our kids healthy, safe, and well-fed. They keep our classrooms clean, our bills paid, and our buses running. They keep our doors open and our lights on, and do it all with great pride.”
Everyone who works in a support role was eligible for their school’s or division’s honor – bookkeepers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, clerks, custodians, paraprofessionals, police officers, psychologists, registrars, school nurses, secretaries, technology staff, therapists… and many, many more people important to CCSD’s operations. The award winners were selected by their school or division colleagues. Teachers, counselors, media specialists and administrators were not eligible, as they are honored through other awards programs.
The event would not be possible without generous donations from community partners including Presenting Sponsor, the Cherokee County Educational Foundation; Platinum Sponsors, ABM Industry Groups, LLC and Credit Union of Georgia; and Silver Sponsors, MealsPlus and Jennie-O.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available; interested businesses and organizations are encouraged to please contact Penny Dempsey at penny.dempsey@cherokeek12.net or 770.479.1871.
2019 CCSD Support Staff Employees of the Year:
ACE Academy
Kathy Frost, Administrative Secretary
Arnold Mill Elementary School
June Landers, School Secretary
Avery Elementary School
Phil Honea, Lead Custodian
Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy
Lisa Adams, School Nutrition Cafeteria Manager
Bascomb Elementary School
Deanna Rechsteiner, Bookkeeper
Boston Elementary School
Karen Cohen, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional
Carmel Elementary School
Sharon Borg, Kindergarten Paraprofessional
CCSD Preschool Centers
Katie Flowers, Speech Language Pathologist
Cherokee High School
Wendy Wemmer, Counseling Secretary
Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy
Nancy Stephan, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional
Clayton Elementary School
Glenda Lanier, Student Records Facilitator
Creekland Middle School
Kathy Murphy, Special Education Paraprofessional
Creekview High School
Margie Paul, Special Education Paraprofessional
Dean Rusk Middle School
Christy Bennett, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional
E.T. Booth Middle School
Emily Iwane, Principal’s Secretary
Etowah High School
June Pollack, Administrative Secretary
Free Home Elementary School
Wendy Comelitti, Principal’s Secretary/Student Facilitator
Freedom Middle School
Gary Howell, Custodian
Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy
Mandy Brannon, Bookkeeper
Hickory Flat Elementary School
Jenny Juneghani, School Nurse
Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy
Laura Killen, School Psychologist
Indian Knoll Elementary School
Tammy Grummer, Bookkeeper
Johnston Elementary School
Leigh Ghorley, Bookkeeper
Knox Elementary School
Trina Hutchison, Registrar
Liberty Elementary School
Karla Reinhart, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional
Little River Elementary School
Suzanne Newman, Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Macedonia Elementary School
Stephanie Greene, Registrar
Mill Creek Middle School
Thania Molina, School Nurse
Mountain Road Elementary School
Danelle Anderson, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional
Oak Grove Elementary School Fine Arts Academy
Nadia Jones, School Nurse
R.M. Moore Elementary School STEM Academy
Dottie Townsend, Registrar
River Ridge High School
Virginia Elder, Principal’s Secretary
Sequoyah High School
Lori Jones, Custodian
Sixes Elementary School
Deena Smith, Bookkeeper
Teasley Middle School
Sharon Tatum, Front Office Secretary
Tippens Education Center
Dawn Beasley, School Nurse
Woodstock Elementary School
Diane Dumond, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional
Woodstock High School
Carol Pontius, Principal's Secretary
Woodstock Middle School
Jayne Woodyard, Principal's Secretary
CCSD Office of Curriculum & Instruction
Jody Page, Special Education Supervisor Administrative Assistant
CCSD Office of Financial Management
Tammie Collis, Payroll Clerk
CCSD Office of Human Resources
Vickie Bryant, Staffing Clerk
CCSD Office of Safety & Security
School Police Officer Michael S. Hunt Jr. (River Ridge High School)
CCSD Office of School Operations
Cindy Saville, Transportation Director Secretary
CCSD Office of Support Services
Colleen Manuel, Facility Maintenance Supervisor Secretary
CCSD Office of Technology & Information Services
Jeremy Gravley, Technology Logistics Manager
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