Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence In Education Honors Alison Shelton of Midtown

On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education (AFAEE) honored 10 Atlanta Public Schools (APS) educators who were selected, after a rigorous application, interview and observation process, as 2013 AFAEE winners.  The formal awards ceremony, held at The Carter Center, was the culminating event in the awards announcement process, which kicked-off with elaborate surprise parties for each educator in late October.

Alison Shelton, principal winner at Centennial Place Elementary, gave a brief acceptance speech on behalf of all 10 winners.  Shelton expressed the humbleness and gratitude of the winners while sharing their excitement and joy over the opportunity to implement the in-depth projects of which each educator had only dreamed, until now.

APS Superintendent Erroll B, Davis, Jr. gave the keynote address.  He spoke about the importance of supporting our children by supporting their educators, outlining some of the changes APS has undergone in recent years to do just that.  “All APS schools are now in clusters and teachers are provided more opportunities and tools to collaborate across grades, subjects and schools.  Teachers work together to the benefit of the students, holding each other accountable when necessary,” said Davis.  He went on to explain that he believes APS is headed in the right direction.  “Since 2012, the dropout rate has decreased from 11.1% to 8.5%, we have implemented a more equitable resource allocation and test scores have increased more than the state average,” he said.

Since its inception in 2005, AFAEE has raised more than $1,500,000.00 to recognize and honor highly effective APS Educators.  Award recipients are chosen by demonstrating excellence in three areas: student achievement, enhancing students’ self-esteem, and collaborating with key stakeholders. 

The following educators were named 2013 AFAEE winners:

Jennifer Hall – Joseph E. Brown Middle School, seventh & eighth grades gifted language arts teacher

Corendis Hardy– Frederick Douglass High School, French and world literature teacher

Dwight Ho-Sang – KIPP WAYS Academy, principal

Jenny Lockwood – Springdale Park Elementary, fourth grade teacher

Kelly Petrello – Garden Hills Elementary, fifth grade teacher

Alison Shelton -  Centennial Place Elementary, principal

Tiffany Stembridge-Taylor – Booker T. Washington High School, math teacher

Amber Stewart – KIPP STRIVE and KIPP Vision Academies, gifted education teacher

Brianne Turgeon – Springdale Park Elementary, music & chorus teacher

Haena Yoo – Charles L. Gideons Elementary, first grade teacher