Support Staff, Employees Of The Year Honored By Cherokee Schools

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — The Cherokee County School District celebrated the important role of support staff at its fourth annual Support Staff Employees of the Year awards on Dec. 2.

The celebration honored one Support Staff Employee of the Year from each of the district’s schools, centers and central office divisions. Each of the honorees was recognized by the Superintendent and School Board members, received a plaque and gifts of appreciation including a $150 Visa card funded by sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor, the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, and Platinum Sponsor, Credit Union of Georgia.

At the conclusion of the evening, surprise presentations were made to one overall winner each in three categories:

• Elementary School to Knox Elementary School STEM Academy kindergarten paraprofessional Carol Dunn
• Middle School/High School/Centers to ACTIVE Academies School Nutrition worker Crystal Williams
• Central Office to Special Education Executive Director Administrative Assistant Nilda Tippins

These overall winners were selected by a committee of retired educators and community leaders.

“Each one of you meets an important need to help us succeed as a school district,” Superintendent Brian Hightower said as he thanked the honorees. “Your work is important. You are important. We value you. What you do matters in the lives of kids.”

School Board Chair Kyla Cromer thanked the honorees on behalf of the School Board.

“You are the backbone of our District, and the work that you do each day supports, strengthens, and improves the learning and work environment for students and staff, alike,” she said. “You are invaluable to the success of our District, and we appreciate you!”

The three overall winners received a $300 Visa card funded by sponsors; $100 gift certificate from Practically Perfect Day Spa; $100 Gift certificate to a local restaurant given by Shottenkirk Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram; Birthday-in-a-Box from Nothing Bundt Cakes, valued at $75; $50 Gift card from Riverstone Corner Bistro; $50 Visa gift card from Cobb EMC; and gifts from Chick-fil-A of Cherokee County and Alma Coffee.

All winners received additional gifts from ABM Industries, LLC; Alma Coffee; Cherokee Lanes; Chick-fil-A of Cherokee County; Cobb EMC; Double V Restaurants, Inc., McDonald’s; HP Inc.; Northside Hospital Cherokee; Nothing Bundt Cakes; Practically Perfect Day Spa; Riverstone Corner Bistro; and Shottenkirk Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram.

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.

Every week, a different school or division Support Staff Employee of the Year winner will be featured on the district’s website and social media. The winners also will be congratulated by the School Board at its December meeting.

Elementary School Winner: Knox Elementary School STEM Academy kindergarten paraprofessional Carol Dunn.

Dunn, who is retiring at the end of this school year, has 38 years of experience with Cherokee County, including 33 years in her current role.

“Ms. Dunn is the model of support to the classroom teacher in providing educational opportunities for each student. She is a kind spirit who is willing to complete any task to meet the needs of the students here at Knox. She is a smiling face who many continue to seek out throughout their elementary career and beyond. Students know her by name and often stop her in the hallways for a quick hug. Her love for working with students is contagious as she makes everyone’s day brighter.”

Middle School/High School/Centers Winner: ACTIVE Academies School Nutrition worker Crystal Williams

Williams has nine years of service with Cherokee Schools, all in the same role.

“What makes Crystal Williams such an outstanding employee is not only the knowledge, skills and techniques she brings to the kitchen as she prepares the meals for our students … it is the heart she brings and shares with the students who come through the service line every day for their meals. Her smiles, her words of encouragement, her nods of recognition, her understanding of what a student may be going through and knowing the students by name, is what reaches out to touch their hearts and lift their spirits. She represents all that is good at ACTIVE Academies.”

Central Office Winner: CCSD Special Education Executive Director Administrative Assistant Nilda Tippins.

Tippins, who is retiring at the end of this school year, has 15 years of service with the district, including eight years in her current role.

“Nilda Tippins provided top-notch support to the Department of Special Education. She is a highly-competent self-starter who is progressive, proactive and well-organized. She has always sought to learn as much as she could about the intricacies of special education to successfully address the needs of all stakeholders as quickly as possible. As a leader in her current position, Nilda seeks out opportunities to support her teammates in improving effectiveness, organization and efficiency. The Department of Special Education has thrived and become much more efficient due to her professionalism.”

School- and division-level honorees were selected by their colleagues, and everyone who works in a support role for the district is eligible for the honor. Teachers, counselors, media specialists and administrators are not eligible, as they are honored through other awards programs.

2021-22 CCSD Support Staff Employees of the Year

ACTIVE Academies

Crystal Williams, School Nutrition Worker

Arnold Mill Elementary School

Patti Eisenhauer, Kindergarten Paraprofessional

Avery Elementary School

Dedra Turner, Paraprofessional

Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy

Donna Mele, Principal's Secretary

Bascomb Elementary School

Linda Wilson, School Nutrition Worker

Boston Elementary School

Michelle Helvey, Paraprofessional

Carmel Elementary School

Yudy Soro, Parent Engagement Facilitator

CCSD Preschool Centers

Sara Lightcap, Speech Language Pathologist

Cherokee High School

Liz Garced, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director's Secretary

Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy

Tiffany Gilbert, Lead Custodian

Clayton Elementary School

Dan Wolfe, IEP Paraprofessional

Creekland Middle School

Maralee Tabor, Principal's Secretary

Creekview High School

Lisa Sheehan, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director's Secretary

Dean Rusk Middle School

Hector Solis, Custodian

E.T. Booth Middle School

Missy Venezia, Instructional Lead Strategist

Etowah High School

Penny Jones, Principal's Secretary

Free Home Elementary School

Amy Lathem, School Nutrition Manager

Freedom Middle School

Cassie Fainter, Instructional Lead Strategist

Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy

Christine Ruff, Kindergarten Paraprofessional

Hickory Flat Elementary School

Robert McCright, Lead Custodian

Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy

Kaitlyn Childers, Paraprofessional

Indian Knoll Elementary School

Lois Boggs, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional

Johnston Elementary School

Tammy Scanlon, IEP Paraprofessional

Knox Elementary School STEM Academy

Carol Dunn, Kindergarten Paraprofessional

Liberty Elementary School

Beth Major, Student Records Facilitator

Little River Elementary School

Melinda Belisle, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional

Macedonia Elementary School

Joan Watkins, Bookkeeper

Mill Creek Middle School

Johnny Gibson, Custodian

Mountain Road Elementary School

Dawn Patini, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional

Oak Grove Elementary School STEAM Academy

Amy Zaski, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional

R.M. Moore Elementary School STEM Academy

Jodi Henderson, Bookkeeper

River Ridge High School

Sara D'Antuono, Assistant Principal's Secretary

Sequoyah High School

Cindy Brown, Student Services Secretary

Sixes Elementary School

Teresa Foster, Paraprofessional

Teasley Middle School

Lori Duffy, Principal's Secretary

Tippens Education Center

Nikki Quinn, Paraprofessional

Woodstock Elementary School

Jennifer McInnis, Student Records Facilitator

Woodstock High School

Aura Castellanos, School Nutrition Worker and Custodian

Woodstock Middle School

Melissa Barsh, Supportive Instruction Paraprofessional

CCSD Office of Curriculum & Instruction

Nilda Tippins, Administrative Assistant to Executive Director, Special Education

CCSD Office of Financial Management

Tammie Hunter, Administrative Assistant to Chief Officer

CCSD Office of Human Resources

Mary Shea, Division Facilitator

CCSD Office of Safety & Security

Mary Hansen, Administrative Assistant to Chief Officer

CCSD Offices of Communications/School Operations/Superintendent

Anne Reed, Administrative Assistant to Chief Officers

CCSD Office of Support Services

Biff McGhee, Maintenance Facility Technician

CCSD Office of Technology & Information Services

Stefan Zimmerman, Systems Specialist

CCSD Transportation Department

David Ammons, Transportation Specialist