Congratulations to our Support Staff Employee of the Year Award Finalists!

CCSD Support Staff Employees of the Year Award Finalist Meredith Tongue is congratulated by Woodstock HS Principal Charley Ingham.

Today, we surprised the three finalists for our CCSD Support Staff Employee of the Year Awards!

Above: CCSD Support Staff Employees of the Year Award Finalist Cindy Reece of Holly Springs ES STEM Academy is surprised by her husband and Superintendent Davis.  Below: Michael Ishmael of CCSD Technology & Information Services is surprised by Superintendent Davis during a team meeting.

Congratulations to elementary school finalist, Cindy Reece, a Special Education paraprofessional at Holly Springs ES STEM Academy; middle/high school finalist, Meredith Tongue, instructional lead strategist for Woodstock High School; and district division finalist, Michael Ishmael, a network analyst II for CCSD Technology & Information Services!  We’re on a mission to be the highest-performing school district in Georgia – and the district known for its contagious optimism and joy.  

Every school year, each school and central office division is invited to honor one outstanding support staff employee.  Award winners are selected by their school or division colleagues, and everyone who works in a support role is eligible for the honor -- from school nurses to front office staff to paraprofessionals to cafeteria staff and many, many more people critical to our successful operations.  From this pool of amazing employees, a finalist is selected in each category – elementary, middle/high, district division – by a committee of retired school and district leaders and community leaders.  One overall CCSD winner will be announced in November at a special ceremony to celebrate all the honorees.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis, joined by School Board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison, district senior staff, and family members of the honorees, surprised the winners this morning with the news, as well as with banners, balloons and flowers.  Each honoree’s supervisor also shared special remarks to honor their winner. 

“You don’t make every single person here better simply by the things that we expect — it’s everything that we don’t expect,” Woodstock HS Principal Charley Ingham said, as he shared a tribute to Ms. Tongue.  “It’s all the ideas you have, the late hours you spend, all the effort you pour into all of us, the way you take care of just about everybody, including your family at home. We couldn’t be more proud of you. We couldn’t be more lucky to have you.”  

Brad Orth, executive director for business information services, shared remarks at Mr. Ishmael’s surprise presentation.  “Without the work he’s doing this district wouldn’t be able to provide the services to our students and staff and provide that secure, safe learning environment where kids can learn more, grow more, and achieve more.”

Holly Springs ES STEM Academy Principal Kerri Schmitt celebrated Ms. Reece as part of the presentation. “We appreciate you so much.  You make it happen every day and we’re so proud of you!”

Teachers, media specialists, counselors and administrators are not eligible for this honor, as they are honored through other awards programs.   

The November celebration event is made possible by generous donations from community partners including Presenting Sponsor, the Cherokee County Educational Foundation; and Platinum Sponsors, Credit Union of Georgia and Timbers on Etowah.  Additional financial and in-kind sponsorship opportunities are available; interested businesses and organizations are encouraged to please contact Penny Dempsey at penny.dempsey@cherokeek12.net or 770.479.1871.