CCSD Celebrates 2024 Special Education Staff of the Year Award Winners

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating six of its outstanding Special Education team members!

Six members of CCSD’s Special Education department recently received top honors during the annual CCSD 2024 Special Education Staff of the Year Awards ceremony.  They are: Behavior Strategist of the Year Sayo Aybar, Itinerant Staff Member of the Year Kathy Marble, Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist of the Year Dr. Lisa Ade, School Psychologist of the Year Stefanie Bhanot, Special Education Facilitator of the Year Heather Stone and Speech Language Pathologist of the Year Lindsey Albrecht.

Each winner received a $200 Visa gift card from Credit Union of Georgia, a CCSD Partner.  The School Board and Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis will honor the winners at an upcoming School Board meeting. 

Ms. Aybar has served with CCSD for five years.  Her colleagues shared that Ms. Aybar “is incredibly kind, caring and empathetic, and she takes time to get to know the students and staff she supports.”  “She assists teachers with strategies within the classroom, takes the time to listen to the teacher's concerns and will do anything to aid in students/teachers' success.”

Ms. Marble, a diagnostician, has served with CCSD for 17 years.  Her colleagues shared that Ms. Marble “is extremely organized and timely, great with the kids and personable, reliable and her work ethic is unmatched.”  “She has taken initiative to create observation forms for each assessment to make it easier for our team to provide additional information to the school psychologists.”

Dr. Ade, an occupational therapist, has served with CCSD for 20 years; this past school year, she supported Sixes ES, Freedom MS and Teasley MS.  Her colleagues shared that Dr. Ade has a “gentle spirit, altruism, patience and dedication to her work.”  “She is not only an incredible occupational therapist, but she is also one of the kindest people that I have ever had the opportunity to work with.  She also handles questions from parents with compassion and generosity.”

Ms. Bhanot has served with CCSD for 24 years; this past school year, she supported Etowah HS.  Her colleagues shared that Ms. Bhanot “is professional, prompt and always eager to explain processes and help the team, including parents and students.”  “She is a collaborator and exhibits a team approach to situations.  She is a natural leader and brings energy and a positive attitude to every situation.”

Ms. Stone has served with CCSD for nine years; this past school year, she supported Mill Creek MS.  Her colleagues shared that Ms. Stone “is an excellent facilitator … confident, knowledgeable, organized, communicates efficiently, professional, ethical and always willing to help or support in any way she can.”  “She consistently helps come up with solutions to problems.”

Ms. Albrecht has served with CCSD for 11 years; this past school year, she supported Hickory Flat ES.  Her colleagues shared that Ms. Albrecht “is a true professional in her field … confident in her knowledge and practices.  “She is creative, organized and works well with students and staff.  She collaborates with others and works hard to help all her students improve and build their communication skills.” 

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