CCSD Celebrates Outstanding ESOL Teacher, Student

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating its Exemplary English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher of the Year and Exemplary English Learner Student of the Year!

The 2023 honorees are teacher Sara Lawson of Dean Rusk MS and Etowah High School senior Scarleth Cantarero Murillo.  The Georgia Department of Education annually recognizes one outstanding ESOL teacher and English Learner student from each school district who meet high standards for teaching and learning.  

Scarleth, who is from Honduras, not only succeeded in mastering English skills through the ESOL program, she advanced to take all honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.  An outstanding artist, her artwork was selected for the competitive Atlanta High School Arts Exhibition and she was named a Governor’s Honors Program semifinalist for art.

Ms. Lawson, in addition to serving as the “backbone” of her school’s ESOL program, co-sponsors the school’s Cultures Club and is known for her outstanding support of students and colleagues. 

“Congratulations to Scarleth and Ms. Lawson on these well-earned honors.  We’re so proud of Scarleth for overcoming the additional obstacles on her path to graduation and for her exemplary academic and artistic success,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower.  “We’re so thankful for Ms. Lawson and her commitment to ensuring her students succeed not only in English, but also overall at school and in the community – we appreciate all that you do.”

The Cherokee County School Board and Dr. Hightower will recognize the honorees at an upcoming school board meeting.                                                                                                                                                                                 
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