Awards
Congratulations to the winners!
Cherisse Campbell
Shoot for the Moon – Leader of the Year
Cherisse Campbell is the Principal at Amana Academy in Alpharetta, Georgia. Amana Academy is a diverse, EL Education Credentialed and GADOE STEM certified Title I school. In partnership with Mrs. Campbell’s leadership for the past 6 years, Amana has implemented the EL model with fidelity and achieved corresponding gains across all three dimensions of EL’s expanded definition of student achievement. Amana Academy delivers on its mission to “prepare students for high academic achievement beyond what they think possible”, and according to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, the school performs better than 95% of schools in the state. Mrs. Campbell is truly a lifelong learner and has a Bachelors in Chemistry from Spelman College, a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from GA Tech, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and another Masters in Educational Leadership (both from the University of Delaware), an Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Charter Leadership from Kennesaw State University and will complete her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy at Vanderbilt University this spring. In addition to being a school principal and student of life, Cherisse is the wife of an educator, mother of two amazing boys, fitness enthusiast, and lover of musical theater.
Judy Parks
Reach for the Stars – Teacher of the Year
Judy Parks, a resident of Sumter County for over 30 years, currently serves as the Music Advisor for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade at Furlow Charter School in Americus, Georgia. She attended Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education with certification in Early Childhood Education and Music Education. She received her Master of Education from Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia. She has a husband who encourages her in her profession, three sons who carry on the family heritage of music, two amazing daughters-in-law, and two precious grandchildren (who will attend Furlow Charter School in the coming years)! As a music educator, church pianist and pastor’s wife, Judy’s motto is “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” She believes that the educator’s job is not only to teach Standards of Excellence but to daily “shine” and impact the lives of students, parents, colleagues, and community members. Judy shares her musical passion with students of all ages, inspiring elementary, middle and high school students to give the gift of music to others. Her heart’s message is that she is proud to be an educator, impacting the lives of students – students that will continue to impact others for generations to come.
Past Award Recipients
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