Posted October 5, 2014/Meria/AFAEE, Atlanta Families' Awards, Garden Hills Elementary, KIPP Strive, Maynard Jackson High School, Springdale Park Elementary

Our Awesome Educators Earn Atlanta Families’ Awards

I am proud to announce that this year, five APS teachers and one APS principal received the Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education (AFAEE). Educators receive this award when they demonstrate excellence in the classroom and in the Atlanta community. This was my first time participating in these surprise announcements and it was so much fun. The energy in the room was at a TEN and the look of shock on the face of each winner was priceless! Congratulations to Principal Stephanie Johnson of Maynard Jackson High School, Tiffany Barnes of Garden Hills Elementary, Katie Carlson of Garden Hills Elementary, Elizabeth Emerson of Springdale Park Elementary, Jennifer Freeman of KIPP Strive Academy and Celeste McNeil, also of KIPP Strive Academy.

Winners will use a portion of their award to fund a school based project that will enhance the academic experience of students on their campus. Whether it is Ms. Carlson’s new learning garden at Garden Hills Elementary School or Ms. McNeil’s Kindle reading project at KIPP Strive, each educator has planned a unique and engaging learning experience to share with their students.

I am excited to also announce that pending Board approval this Monday, Katie McDowell, currently the co-founder and Executive Director of AFAEE, will become the district’s new Executive Director of Partnerships and Development! Ms. McDowell has led the Atlanta Families’ Awards for the last nine years, recognizing and awarding over $2 million to high-achieving teachers and school leaders in APS and Fulton County Schools. Her addition to our APS family will help build and sustain current and future partnerships in the district.

We profiled all of our 2014 AFAEE winners on the district’s blog! Click the links below to learn more about these awesome educators. Congratulations!