MEDIA
CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org or Meghan Frick, GaDOE
Communications Office, (404) 656-5594, mfrick@doe.k12.ga.us
Nate Schult, Parent Engagement Program Manager, Phone: (404)
463-1956, nschult@doe.k12.ga.us
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and the Georgia Parent
Teacher Association (GA PTA) are recognizing six parents from across the state
with the 2015 Georgia Parent Leadership Award.
The award was created by GaDOE and GA PTA to recognize parents for
their outstanding leadership in creating a foundation of support for student
achievement and success. Research shows that parent engagement makes a
difference in student achievement - no matter the age of the child.
“From kindergarten to graduation, we know that active family
engagement does absolutely contribute towards the academic success of
individual students as well as the entire school,” said State School
Superintendent Richard Woods. “This is why I applaud these parents for their
continuous involvement in their child’s education and their contributions to
their entire school community.”
Rita Erves, Georgia PTA President, added, “It is an undisputed
fact that academic achievement increases for children who are the product of
parents engaged in their lives,” said. “I applaud the efforts of the 2015
Georgia Parent Leadership Award recipients. These parents recognize that there
is absolutely nothing that can replace the meaningful interaction with their
children.”
The parents will receive the honor during a ceremony on Tuesday,
March 3, 2015 during the 2015 Georgia PTA Day at the Capitol event.
The winners are:
•
Crystal Eplin, W.C. Britt Elementary School, Gwinnett County Schools
•
Melinda Gittleman, Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, Marietta City
Schools
•
Antwan McKee, Beecher Hills Elementary School, Atlanta Public Schools
• Lori
Rowe, G.O. Bailey Primary Schools, Tift County Schools
•
Towana Walker-Miller, Mamie Lou Gross Elementary School, Camden County Schools
•
Tyesha Whitley, Shuman Elementary School, Savannah Chatham County Schools
Parent leaders are nominated each November during Georgia’s Parent
Engagement Month by public school personnel. Any caregiver who assumes the responsibility
for nurturing and caring for a student’s entire well-being consisting of
educational, emotional, spiritual, and physical health is eligible for the
honor.
The Georgia Parent Leadership Awards are given each year to six
parents representing both Title I schools and Non-Title I schools. While the
six state winners for 2015 are from elementary schools, parents from all school
levels can be nominated.
Winners of the Georgia Parent Leadership Award have opportunities
throughout the year to share their story by promoting and assisting parent
engagement activities at the state level.
More Information
Please see the following link for more information about the
Georgia Parent Leadership Awards: http://www.gadoe.org/School-Improvement/Federal-Programs/Pages/Parent-Leadership-Recognition.aspx
