Fulton Schools Recognize Teacher, Principal Of The Year

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Thursday was full of surprises, as the Fulton County School System announced its top employees – the 2018 Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, School Professional of the Year and Support Professional of the Year. Honorees will serve as examples to their Fulton County colleagues for the next academic year.

This year’s top employees received special recognition banners and other gifts of appreciation from Fulton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Rose, school board members, and their principal or supervisor, all of whom praised their dedication to students and their passion for education.

“These outstanding honorees have earned the respect and admiration of their colleagues and contributed enormously to the success of our students in multiple ways,” said Dr. Rose. “From leading and teaching, to supporting our schools, these honorees have given their best effort to our students and the Fulton community daily. Their recognition is well deserved.”

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Each year, employees at every Fulton County school and administrative building is invited to nominate outstanding employees based on teacher, staff and parent input. These employees are then evaluated a second time through an application/essay review and interview, and one finalist is announced from each of Fulton’s geographic Learning Communities – Central, Northwest, Northeast and South. The Teacher of the Year and the Principal of the Year nominees also undergo a school visit to demonstrate their leadership and classroom skills.

This year’s honorees are:

2018 Teacher of the Year – Kiana Willis Pinckney, Palmetto Elementary School

Ms. Pinckney is a Pre-K through 5th grade Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M) teacher at Palmetto Elementary, whose ultimate goal “is to aid in creating lifelong learners and real-world problem-solvers who think critically, exhibit perseverance and seek to innovate the world around them.”

Teacher of the Year Nominees

• Central Learning Community – Paige Alexander, Woodland Elementary School
• Northwest Learning Community – Alisa Dallas, Crabapple Crossing Elementary School
• Northeast Learning Community – Alyssa Adele Martin, Chattahoochee High School
• South Learning Community – Kiana Willis Pinckney, Palmetto Elementary School

2018 Principal of the Year – Dr. Duke Bradley, III, Banneker High School

Dr. Bradley is the principal of Banneker High, where teachers and administrators “have chosen to educate both the head and heart of our students – to inspire within them a belief that they are capable, knowledgeable, and worthy of moving confidently toward their aspirations.”

Principal of the Year Nominees

• Central Learning Community – Tara McGee, Woodland Elementary School
• Northwest Learning Community – Julie Morris, Lake Windward Elementary School
• Northeast Learning Community – Dr. Maisha Otway, Hillside Elementary School
• South Learning Community – Dr. Duke Bradley, III, Banneker High School

2018 School Professional of the Year – Mayra Alicea, Vickery Mill Elementary

Ms. Alicea is the cafeteria manager at Vickery Mill Elementary, who knows all of the school’s students by first and last names. “She recognizes that each child is more than a number or a meal order, they are children with stories and feelings,” says Vickery Mill Principal Adam Maroney.

School Professional of the Year Nominees

• Central Learning Community – Chrissy Mingo, Parklane Elementary School
• Northwest Learning Community – Mayra Alicea, Vickery Mill Elementary School
• Northeast Learning Community – Margaret Sun, State Bridge Crossing Elementary School
• South Learning Community – Robert A. Young , A. Philip Randolph Elementary School

2018 Support Professional of the Year – Sakha Reed, Central Office

Ms. Reed is the executive assistant to the superintendent, who believes that “it is imperative to build credible relationships that exhibit understanding and respect with staff, parents, stakeholders and community leaders.

Support Professional of the Year Nominees

• Academics – Carla Mendes
• Financial Services, Dawn Pinckney
• Information Technology – Selecia Golden
• Operations – Tonnyia Allen
• Superintendent's Office – Sakha Reed
• Talent – Daffany Reed
• South Maintenance – Brian “Jeff” Davis
• North Maintenance – Susan Chavez
• South Transportation – Yvonne Tolbert
• North Transportation – Scott Campbell

All four honorees will be recognized at the Legacy of Excellence, a formal recognition gala held during the fall.

Images via Fulton County School System