Awards
2025 Annual Georgia Charter School Awards
Empowering Tomorrow: Igniting Brighter Futures with Georgia Charter Schools
At GCSA, we are committed to collaborating with our member schools to maximize the impact of Georgia’s charter school sector and celebrate the incredible contributions of charter school teachers and leaders statewide. Each year, GCSA recognizes exceptional achievements and best practices through awards that honor the dedication, innovation, and resilience of our educators and schools.
School Award
The Charter School of the Year Award honors charter schools that have achieved transformative outcomes for the students and communities they serve. Schools nominated for this award exhibit a bold vision for success and employ innovative strategies, whether through unique programming, effective community or civic partnerships, or creative problem-solving approaches.
Charter School of the Year Award Nomination Form
Nominate a World-Class Leader and / or Teacher from Georgia Charter Schools
Individual Awards
The Charter School Leader of the Year Award recognizes high-performing educational leaders who leverage their vision and leadership to cultivate a thriving school culture and drive academic success.
Charter School Leader of the Year Award Nomination Form
The Charter School Teacher of the Year Award celebrates dynamic and dedicated educators who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their students, families, and communities.
Charter School Teacher of the Year Award Nomination Form
Award FAQs
Who is eligible for a GCSA Annual Award?
GCSA member schools, school leaders, and teachers. Please note that previous GCSA Award winners are not eligible for nomination in the same category for the year immediately following their award.
Who can nominate a school for an award?
For Charter School of the Year, any GCSA member school, GCSA staffer, or GCSA board member can nominate potential award winners.
For Charter School Teacher of the Year Award, any school leader may nominate potential award winners.
For Charter School Leader of the Year, any teacher or charter governing board member may nominate potential award winners.
How are winners selected?
Charter School of the Year: Once nominations are submitted, a selection committee made up of GCSA staff members identifies finalists. All GCSA Conference attendees are eligible to vote for the winner in this category. We encourage everyone to vote based on merit and not on school affiliation or name recognition.
Charter School Teacher of the Year Award and Charter School Leader of the Year: Once nominations are submitted, a selection committee comprised of external stakeholders assesses candidates and identifies individual award winners in these categories.
When does the award process begin?
GCSA will accept nominations for Charter School of the Year from Wednesday, November 20, 2024 to Friday, January 9, 2025. Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, February 19, 2024. Voting for this award will take place LIVE at the GCSA Conference on Wednesday, March 12, 2024 at the Awards Luncheon.
GCSA will accept nominations for Leader of the Year and Teacher of the Year from Wednesday, November 20, 2024 to Friday, January 9, 2025. Winners will be identified and awarded by an external selection committee and announced at the GCSA Conference.
What is required of School Winners and Finalists?
We ask all schools selected as finalists for Charter School of the Year to attend the GCSA Conference Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 and deliver brief presentations on lessons/reflections on what made their work successful, strategies that could be replicable in other places, and lessons learned along the way. We are also requesting for the Charter School Leader of the Year and Charter School Teacher of the Year award winners attend the luncheon.
Past Award Recipients
2024 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Westside Atlanta Charter School
Charter School Leader of the Year Award: Peter Ulrich, Principal of Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA)
Charter School Teacher of the Year Award: Katia Clemons, Peace Academy Charter School
2023 Award Winners
Game Changer Award: Tapestry Public Charter School Award
Best Collaboration Award: Utopian Academy for the Arts Charter School Network
Charter School Leader of the Year Award: Helené Brown, Principal of Amana Academy West Atlanta
Charter School Teacher of the Year Award: Andrea Rainey, Educator at KIPP Vision Academy
2019 Award Winners
Charter Schools of the Year: The Museum School of Avondale Estates and Leadership Preparatory Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Peter McKnight, Charles R. Drew Charter School Senior Academy
Reach for the Stars: Jasmine Dennard, Charles R. Drew Charter School Elementary Academy
2018 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: DeKalb PATH Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Katherine Kelbaugh, The Museum School of Avondale Estates
Reach for the Stars: Breana Wofford, KIPP STRIVE Primary
2017 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: KIPP WAYS Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Lynn Pinson, Baconton Community Charter School
Reach for the Stars: Keith Jackson, Centennial Academy
2016 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: KIPP STRIVE Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Jondre’ Pryor, KIPP South Fulton Academy
Reach for the Stars: Donna Faircloth, Baconton Community Charter School
2015 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School
Shoot for the Moon: Lisa McDonald, Brighten Academy
Reach for the Stars: Brandom Jones, KIPP South Fulton Academy
2014 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Brighten Academy
Power to the Parents: Arle Wilson-Dixon, Fulton Leadership Academy
2013 Award Winners
Shoot for the Moon: Suttiwan Cox, Dekalb PATH Academy
Reach for the Stars: Charley Walper, Kennesaw Charter Science & Math Academy
2012 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Charles Drew Charter School
Shoot for the Moon: David Jernigan, KIPP Metro Atlanta and Founder of KIPP WAYS Academy
Reach for the Stars: Chi Wu, Dekalb PATH Academy
Power to the Parents: Kelly Marlow, Cherokee Charter Academy
2011 Award Winners
Charter School of the Year: Amana Academy
Shoot for the Moon: Dr. Kathy Harwood, Charter Conservatory for Liberal Arts & Technology
Reach for the Stars: Terrilyn Ali, Charles R. Drew Charter School
Power to the Parents: Marney Mayo, International Community School
2010 Award Winners
Shoot for the Moon: Martha Nesbit, Oglethorpe Charter School
Reach for the Stars: Dana Pace, Brighten Academy
2009 Award Winner
Shoot for the Moon: Dr. Gary Martin, Hapeville Charter Schools
2008 Award Winner
Shoot for the Moon: Bill Moon, International Community School