Teachers Surprised With Atlanta Families' Awards

Two local teachers have received a big prize from an area nonprofit.

Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education (AFAEE) has surprised six Atlanta Public Schools and four Fulton County Schools educators over the past two days for their work in improving student achievement, student self-esteem and collaborating with community stakeholders.

Each winner received $7,500 for innovative classroom projects, professional development and a personal stipend. AFAEE has granted nearly $2 million dollars to educators, their classrooms and schools over the last nine years, according to a release.

Recipients included two teachers from Garden Hills Elementary School: 1st grade teacher Tiffany Barnes and 2nd grade teacher Katie Carlson. Other recipients included:

• Andrew Bowers of Milton High School
• Elizabeth Emerson of Springdale Park Elementary School
• Nicole Ford of Feldwood Elementary School
• Jennifer Freeman of KIPP STRIVE Academy
• Chantrise Holliman of Westlake High School
• Stephanie Johnson of Maynard Jackson High School
• Celeste McNeil of KIPP STRIVE Academy
• Dan Sims of Tri-Cities High School

The 2014 winners will be celebrated Nov. 6 with an awards ceremony at The Carter Center. To find out more information about the event, please visit atlantafamilies.org/rsvp_form.php.

“Our board and selection committee were blown away by the commitment, talent, creativity and passion of these 10 educators,” said Katie McDowell, executive director of AFAEE. “We look forward to watching how these grant dollars will be used by the winners to make a long-term positive impact on the lives of their students while strengthening Atlanta Public Schools from the inside out.”