Friday, September 21, 2001

Schools, sponsors honor educators, workers

Fulton County School System employees, along with award-winning business partners, travel to Hero City, (Atlanta Hilton and Towers) today for an awards luncheon designed to honor outstanding teachers, employees and partnership heroes of the year.

Captain Hero (Star 94 radio personality Tom Sullivan) serves as host for this year's gala. During the luncheon, the captain will assemble an award-winning team of employees and business partners of the year who will fight for learning and knowledge.

"This year's theme is especially appropriate," said Martha Snyderman, Northside Hospital Foundation executive director, "because the people honored during this event are true heroes."

Gold level sponsors include Northside Hospital, South Fulton Medical Center, Bank of America and Publix. SouthTrust Bank and Kroger are Silver sponsors while Georgia Power and Johnson Controls contribute at the Bronze level.

The Fulton Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1986 to generate additional resources for school system needs, coordinates the annual awards gala. The goal is to create a theatrical production that entertains the approximately 900 guests and shows the honorees how much they are appreciated by the school system.

LaForge, executive director of the Fulton Education Foundation, said every minute of the event is designed to be a special "thank-you" to those being recognized for outstanding service.

"We want our employees to know how much we value the hard work and dedication they exhibit every day in our schools," she said.

This year, two of the top honorees in the recognition program come from the same school. Babbie Wolf, a Roswell High mathematics teacher with 27 years of experience, is the Fulton County School System Teacher of the Year, while Roswell High secretary Lynda Mann is the Classified Employee of the Year. Palmetto Elementary also claims two winners Custodial Employee of the Year Dwayne Knox and School Technology Specialist of the Year JoAnn Bynum.

2001-2002 Honorees

• High School Teacher of the Year and overall Fulton County Teacher of the Year Babbie Wolf, Roswell High. Elementary School Teacher of the Year Mary Morris, Medlock Bridge Elementary.
• Middle School Teacher of the Year Mary Jo Sibbald, Taylor Road Middle.
• Counselors of the Year Leslie Smyth-Pineda, Riverwood High; and Andra Harris Martin, State Bridge Crossing Elementary.
• Clerical Employee of the Year and Overall Classified Employee of the Year Lynda Mann, Roswell High.
• School Nutrition Employee of the Year Cora Cramer, Webb Bridge Middle.
• Service Employee of the Year Timothy Stanfield, south maintenance kitchen technician.
• Technology Specialist of the Year JoAnn Bynum, Palmetto Elementary.
• Custodial Employee of the Year Dwayne Knox, Palmetto Elementary.
• School Assistant of the Year Denise Cooper-Paige, Stonewall Tell Elementary.
• Bus Driver of the Year Joyce Blackwell, north transportation.

The Partners of the Year include:

• Oak Knoll Elementary and Magic Johnson Theaters.
• Webb Bridge Middle and Plant It Green Nursery.
• Mimosa Elementary and Alpharetta Presbyterian Women's Club.
• McNair Middle and World Changers International Ministries.
• Sweet Apple Elementary and North River Baptist Church.

These system-level honorees join building-level representatives at the luncheon, with all receiving special gifts and a plaque. In addition, the system-level winners receive a cash award.

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