Indian Knoll Educator Named Medial Specialist Of The Year

CANTON, GA — Indian Knoll Elementary School Media Specialist Jennifer Lewis sees her job as one of collaboration, exploration and revelation. Each day the media center is a busy hive of activity, whether she is working with teachers at her school to extend classroom lessons into the media center, setting up Skype sessions to take children on virtual field trips to Alaska, or producing the morning newscast with students.

Lewis leads the Firebird Book Club, assists with the Techno Wizards club, and she constantly looks for new topics and resources to engage students' interests-whether it's biographies on professional wrestlers or technology-focused resources like Osmo kits. As a personal goal, she strives to learn all the students by name so that she can recommend the perfect title for their next reading adventure.

Her approach to managing the school media center as a hub of learning earned her the title of CCSD's 2018 Media Specialist of the Year. She was surprised with the announcement at a faculty meeting on Tuesday, March 6 by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower, Deputy Superintendent Trey Olson and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Nicole Holmes.

"We are so, so proud of Jennifer; she is such an impressive educator," said Dr. Hightower. "People like Jennifer challenge me to the core. Kids deserve your A-game, they deserve the teacher's A-game, and they deserve my A-game. It fills my heart to know that we've got people like Jennifer out there working hard for public education."

Indian Knoll Principal Dr. Ann Gazell said Lewis has been a stellar addition to the school staff and a source of support and inspiration (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here).

"When Jennifer came in to interview, she walked in with a plan and a purpose of what her vision was for our media center," said Dr. Gazell. "It was a no-brainer to hire her. She has never, ever let me down."

As the CCSD Media Specialist of the Year, Lewis received a plaque, an Amazon Kindle and a celebratory cake, compliments of sponsor Credit Union of Georgia. Lewis was also presented flowers by her husband, Mark, and son, Caleb, (their daughter, Katherine, was competing at a high school tennis match and could not attend), and her parents, Theresa and Gary Wallpe.

"We have such an amazing group of hard working media specialists," Lewis said. "I'm honored to represent them. The kids are the best part of my job, and I love helping them find books that they enjoy reading, and I love teaching them things about new technology that they didn't know. I love the combination of literature and technology."

Lewis will represent CCSD in the State Media Specialist of the Year competition.

Photo 1: Dr. Brian V. Hightower, superintendent of schools, surprises Indian Knoll Elementary School's Jennifer Lewis with the news that she is the CCSD Media Specialist of the Year.

Photo 2: The Indian Knoll ES staff gives Jennifer Lewis a standing ovation in recognition of her selection as Media Specialist of the Year.

Photo 3: Dr. Hightower notes the importance of Lewis having started as a classroom teacher, giving her an insight into what teachers need from their media center.

Photo 4: Jason Blakey with Credit Union of Georgia presents Ms. Lewis with gifts.

Photo 5: Lewis with her husband Mark and son Caleb.

Photo 6: Dr. Ann Gazell, Principal of Indian Knoll ES, shares a story about when she hired Ms. Lewis.

Photo 7: From left, Dr. Ann Gazell, Principal of Indian Knoll ES; Ms. Lewis' parents Gary and Theresa Wallpe; Caleb Lewis; Mark Lewis; Jennifer Lewis; and Superintendent Dr. Brian V. Hightower.

Photo credits: Cherokee County School District