Thank You to Our School Board: District 6 Board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison!

In this season of gratitude, we’re sharing how thankful we are for our dedicated Cherokee County School Board members!  Our School Board members’ laser focus on student learning has been strengthened to new levels over the past year.  Their work created a depth of alignment from the board room to the classroom now driving our mission to be the highest performing school district in the state.  A high performing school district starts with a high performing school board!  We asked our board members a series of questions to share more with the community about themselves, their role, and their service, and we’ll be sharing these profiles with you this month. 

Please join us in thanking District 6 Board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison!

Dr. Padgett-Harrison of Canton, who took office in 2023, served as an educator with CCSD for 29 years in roles including teacher, assistant principal, Cherokee HS principal and district curriculum supervisor and assessment director.  An adjunct Kennesaw State University and Piedmont University lecturer and longtime community volunteer, her family includes three CCSD graduates, including one who serves as a CCSD educator, and 12 grandchildren.

Why did you choose to serve on the School Board? 
To make a difference.  I have a lot of experience in the field, and I can give input to my fellow board members from that perspective and learn from their experiences in different fields as well, too, for us to make the best decisions for teachers, students, and parents.

What part of your role on the School Board do you enjoy most? 
Visiting schools!  Those smiling faces and interactions -- no matter the age -- bring joy and purpose to the work.  I am also impressed with the talent and work ethic we have in our district from so many dedicated professionals.

What is the most challenging part of serving on the School Board? 
Listening to those who do not know the vested interest they have in an educated population even without having students in the system.  What we do creates the next police officer, firefighter, teacher, mechanic, electrician, grocery store worker ... or the oncologist who saves their life.  Teachers and administrators enhance the values parents instill at home with respect, work ethic, kindness, and an appreciation for those who will be their community.

What other ways do you enjoy volunteering in the community? 
I love working with several groups such as Rotary Club of Canton, Empower Cherokee for developmentally disabled adults, Cherokee Retired Educators Association, and serving as a deacon for my church.

What are some of the reasons you love living in our community? 
I moved here as an 11th grader at Cherokee High and was raised in poverty -- one of eight kids to parents who only finished the eighth grade.   And Cherokee County welcomed me and encouraged me along the way with education and opportunities to serve.  I am always aware that moving from an 18-year-old married poultry line worker to a doctorate from University of Georgia would not happen everywhere.  So many acts of kindness -- big and small -- changed the trajectory of my life.  Each day when I would drive to work viewing the mountains and the beauty of this area, I counted my blessings.

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