Dr. Eunice Kang, Clarke Central High School
2019 Bank of America Fine Arts Grant Recipient
“I believe that observing live performances by world class artists of diverse colors and backgrounds should be mandatory for all student musicians.”
Foundation News
FFE Announces 2026 Award Winners
The Board of Trustees for the Foundation for Excellence in Public Education is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Foundation for Excellence Teaching and Staff Awards!
Earlier this spring, we invited the entire community to nominate Clarke County School District teachers and staff members who are making a remarkable impression on Clarke County students and community. We received over 200 nominations, nominating over 190 different individuals within the school district.
Over the summer a team of community volunteers read over all the completed nominations and scored the applications to determine the winners.
Congratulations to these phenomenal educators and staff members! We hope their example will be inspiring to their students, colleagues, and community. We look forward to celebrating these winners at our annual Awards Reception in October.
Friends of Eve Carson Excellence in Teaching Award - $500
Michaela Wright - Clarke Middle School
Newland Family Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award - $500
Nicholas Kelly - Hilsman Middle School
Galis Family Award for Teachers of History and Social Studies - $500
Sasha Baker - Clarke Middle School
Margaret & Raymond Ponsoldt Chair for Elementary School Teachers - $1000
Beth Selleck - Barrow Elementary School
Frusanna S. Booth Chair for Teachers of English & Language Arts - $1000
Meganne Skinner - Hilsman Middle School
Charlotte Brown Chair for Teachers of Special Education - $1000
Jennifer Dollander - Cleveland Road Elementary
Lamar Dodd Chair for Teachers of Fine Arts - $1000
Devin Driskell - Cedar Shoals High School
Jenny Penney Oliver Chair for Counselors and Student Support Personnel - $1000
Sara Oehlerts - Coile Middle School
Walter Allen, Sr. Inspiring Teacher Award - $500
Hannah Doolittle - Cedar Shoals High School
Frieda M. Thomas Teacher of Promise Awards - $500
Julia Bridgeman - Clarke Central High School
Ryan Lopez - Cedar Shoals High School
Downs Family District Services Awards - $500
Laurence Dunn - Plant Services
Jerry Johnson - CCSD Police
Howard B. Stroud Community Service Award - $500
Meredith Dykes - CCSD Nursing
Michael Peter Horvat Secondary Coaches’ Award - $500
Chris Batson - Clarke Middle School
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Contributing to Excellence through Food, Friends, and Community: FFE BBQ 2020
"Great teaching doesn’t just happen.”
Conor Naughton, Hilsman Middle School
2018 Frieda M. Thomas Teacher of Promise Award Recipient