The Ninth Annual Core Awards are in the books, and 13 winners across 10 categories have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in fostering student success.
Every spring, the Core Awards acknowledge employees and volunteers who embody the district’s core values of equity, student-centeredness, accountability, integrity, high expectations, and collaboration. Awards in past years have included Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, Classified Employee of the Year, Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year, and Judy Mountjoy Volunteer of the Year.
For the first time this year, awards were also given for Counselor of the Year, Psychologist of the Year, and Social Worker of the Year. There was also a segment dedicated to the Promise Awards, which celebrate exceptional first-year teachers.
Hundreds of nominees from across the district were narrowed down to three finalists in each category. Winners received cash prizes provided by the event’s sponsors at the WS/FCS Education Foundation and the Forsyth Educator Partnership. The event also benefitted from generous support from two anonymous donors.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by Atkins High School and featured performances from dozens of their most talented student artists, including A Capella from the Golden Girls and Maroon 13, a selection from the cast of Mean Girls, and a song from the school’s trombone quartet.
This year’s winners are:
- Promise Awards:
o Katie Davis, Konnoak Elementary School
o James Etter, South Fork Elementary School
o Sydney Watson, East Forsyth High School
o Rachel Wilcox, Lewisville Middle School
- Assistant Principal of the Year: Demetria Gaines, Kimberley Park Elementary School
- Classified Employee of the Year: Allison Kemper, Lewisville Elementary School
- Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year: Latisa Warner, Mineral Springs Middle School
- Judy Mountjoy Volunteer of the Year: Fran Little, Smith Farm Elementary School
- Psychologist of the Year: Angela Smith, Central Office
- Social Worker of the Year: Lisa May, Kernersville Middle School
- Counselor of the Year: Eva Bishop, Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy
- Principal of the Year: Mónica Comer, Walkertown Middle School
- Teacher of the Year: Jalessia Patterson, Petree Elementary School
These winners, as well as the hundreds of other employees and volunteers who were nominated and thousands more who do their part every day, are a testament to the passion for education that sustains the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools community. There may not be an awards ceremony every day, but these educators deserve to always feel like superstars.
“During my time with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, one thing that’s become clear to me very quickly is that we’re fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated team of employees and volunteers,” said Superintendent Don Phipps. “Their persistence, their character, and their love for our students are why they continue to succeed. We hope this night is a reminder that everything they do is noticed and appreciated.”