The Clarke County School District congratulates Angela Gay, school social worker for Howard B. Stroud Elementary and Cedar Shoals High schools, on being named School Social Worker of the Year by the School Social Workers Association of Georgia (SSWAG). 

Given by SSWAG at the district and then state levels each year, this award recognizes school social workers for their dedication, leadership, and impact on students and families in their school communities. 

Last fall, Ms. Gay was named School Social Worker of the Year by SSWAG for District 9, which includes more than 20 northeast Georgia counties. She was surprised with the statewide award announcement on Tuesday, March 24, during SSWAG’s annual Spring Conference in Braselton. 

“I am honored, humbled, and elated to be recognized as the Georgia School Social Worker of the Year, representing the district that I am a proud product of,” said Ms. Gay. “Anytime that I can represent my profession of school social work, helping others to understand our roles in schools, I always accept the offer to do so. This (distinction) will allow me to be an advocate for the profession of school social work and work with school social workers around our great state to promote how we can impact educational goals and social-emotional learning goals for our students in a positive manner."

A native of Athens and graduate of Cedar Shoals High School and the University of Georgia, Ms. Gay has more than 32 years of service to CCSD students and families and has served as a school social worker since 2001. She began her professional career with the district in 1993 as a family service coordinator for the CCSD Pre-K Program.

Ms. Gay’s impact on students and families extends beyond the walls of the school setting through her involvement with numerous community organizations, including the YWCO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Athens, Clarke County Mentor Program, and the Athens Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“Over the past decade, I have witnessed Angela Gay’s unwavering dedication, exceptional professionalism, and the profound impact she has made on her students, families, and colleagues,” said Chrystal Gillis, Director of School Social Work for CCSD. “She promotes the overall well-being and success of students through programming that strengthens family engagement, improves attendance, and expands access to mental health, physical health, and social services. Ms. Gay is highly regarded by colleagues and families as a dependable leader, a compassionate problem-solver, and an advocate who consistently places the needs of students at the forefront.”