The Foundation for Excellence (FFE) in Public Education in Clarke County today announced the winners of its 2023 teaching and staff awards, awarding a combined total of approximately $15,000 to 14 teachers and staff members across the Clarke County School District. 

For 40 years, the mission of the FFE, a devoted partner and supporter of CCSD, has been to recognize and reward excellence across the district. The FFE’s work includes hosting teaching and staff awards, classroom grants, and student awards.  

In the spring, the FFE opened nominations for teaching and staff to the whole CCSD community. The foundation received an unprecedented 418 nominations for its 2023 teaching and staff awards. Of the 418 nominations, 174 applications for the grants were submitted. More than 30 volunteer judges from the Athens-Clarke County community helped read and score each application received this summer.

The winners listed below were presented with their awards Thursday morning and will be honored further at the FFE’s annual awards reception in October. You can learn more about each of the awards here. 

Downs Family District Services Awards

• Dwayne Lawrence - custodian, Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary 
• Vicki Millsap - cafeteria manager, Hilsman Middle

Michael Peter Horvat Secondary Coaches Award

• Markise Foote - Coile Middle

Martha Comer Chair for Languages Award

• Marina Doneda - Barrow Elementary

Thomas H. Whitehead Chair for Teacher of Science Award

• Adam Lee - Clarke Central High

Joan D. Humphries Excellence in Teaching Award

• Jodi Bolgla - Clarke Central High

Ken Sherman Double Century Excellence in Teaching Award

• Rebecca Floyd - Cedar Shoals High

Ann M. Schindel Chair for Teachers of Mathematics Award

• Brandt Hacker - Cedar Shoals High

Cardee Kilpatrick Chair for Middle School Teachers Award

• Conor Naughton - Hilsman Middle

Frieda M. Thomas Teacher of Promise Awards

• Nicholas Kelly - Hilsman Middle
• Montu Miller - Cedar Shoals High

Seasoned Teacher Award

• Jennifer Jones - Whitehead Road Elementary

Kathryn H. Hug Instructional Leadership Award

• Pam Garcia - principal, Fowler Drive Elementary

Howard B. Stroud Community Service Award

• Alex Borges - lead CCSD Family and Community Engagement Specialist.