Cherokee County Schools Names Support Staff Employees of the Year

CANTON, GA -- 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 were 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: Carmel Elementary School kindergarten paraprofessional Sharon Borg
• Middle School/High School/Centers: Woodstock High School Principal’s secretary Carol Pontius
• Central Office: 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 Brian 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 wrote in his nomination of Collis, who has served CCSD for 19 years with five in her current role:

“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 wrote in her nomination of Borg, who has served in her role for 25 years:

“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 wrote in his nomination of Pontius, who has served in her role for six years:

“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.

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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