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Superintendent's Travel Snapshots for November
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October was a month full of celebration in Georgia’s schools. To begin the month, State School Superintendent Kathy Cox gave two Georgia elementary school teachers quite a surprise -- a national award and a big check. Kristen Drake, a teacher at DeKalb's Vanderlyn Elementary School, was named the first 2006 Milken Family Foundation National Educator of the Year in a surprise assembly at her school. Kristie Smart, a second-grade teacher at Gainesville's Centennial Arts Academy, was named Georgia's second 2006 Milken Family Foundation National Educator later in the month.
Superintendent Cox surprises Kristen Drake, a teacher at Vanderlyn
Elementary School in DeKalb County, with the Milken Educator
Award.
Kristie Smart, a teacher at Gainesville's Centennial Arts Academy,
receives the second of only two Milken Educator Awards given in
Georgia this year.
"As a society, we’re quick to recognize greatness in other professions -- MVP awards, Oscars, Grammies, Nobel Prizes," Superintendent Cox said. "But it's kind of odd that the one profession that prepares all those others doesn’t have a really big award. The Milken Family is correcting that."
The Educator of the Year award was created by the Milken Family to thank and recognize excellent teachers. Two educators from each state are chosen for the award every year. As Georgia’s two winners, Ms. Drake and Ms. Smart will attend a national conference of award-winners in April and receive checks for $25,000 to spend however they choose.
Superintendent Kathy Cox was joined by Dr. Martha Reichrath, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, to personally congratulate schools receiving awards in both the categories of Great Gains in student achievement and Highest Percentage of students meeting and exceeding standards on state tests. Each school received a letter of commendation from Governor Sonny Perdue and was presented with banners recognizing their success during a special school-wide ceremony. Those visited included Bleckley County Elementary School in Bleckley County, Evansdale Elementary School in DeKalb County, Richard Hull Middle School in Gwinnett County, North Hall High School in Hall County, and Simpson Middle School in Cobb County.
Students at Richard Hull Middle School in Gwinnett County welcome
Superintendent Kathy Cox and Dr. Martha Reichrath, Executive
Director of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement.
Students cheered at special assemblies as Superintendent Cox delivered some special awards and mementoes to six Georgia principals who will be traveling to Washington, D.C., in November for the National Blue Ribbon Schools ceremony. “We are so proud to have you represent our state, and I have a few things for you to take on your big trip,” Superintendent Cox said as she presented each principal with an award from the Georgia Department of Education, a commendation from Governor Sonny Perdue, a state flag, and a banner featuring the motto Leading the Nation in Improving Student Achievement. Each assembly was followed by a tour of the school as Superintendent Cox observed first hand the outstanding work of teachers and students.
Students at Main Elementary School in Rome, Georgia, celebrate
becoming a Blue Ribbon School during a special assembly.
Georgia’s six schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education this year include Alexander II Magnet School, Bibb County; Dawson County High School, Dawson County; Kedron Elementary School, Fayette County; Main Elementary School, Rome City; Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School, Dougherty County; and Savannah Arts Academy, Savannah/Chatham County.
Dr. Thomas Lockamy, Superintendent of Chatham County Schools,
and Principal Odessa Richards of Savannah Arts Academy receive
recognition from Superintendent Cox and Governor Perdue. |
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