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WS/FCS Celebrates 2022 CORE Awards
It was a magical night at the Benton Convention Center on Thursday when Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools honored its best and brightest educators with the 2022 CORE Awards.
After narrowing down a crop of about 150 teachers, principals, assistant principals, volunteers, classified employees and certified instructional support staff members, the district presented five nominees in each of six categories. Those nominees were cheered on by hundreds of guests from schools all over the county. The nominees were chosen for their dedication to the values that make WS/FCS a great place to go to school, and with the pandemic winding down, supporters had their first opportunity in years to go all out with their appreciation.
“Tonight is all about the district’s best of the best, our folks who model and live our core values,” said Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Brent Campbell. “We are so excited that everyone is here this evening.”
The winners included Lajoi Wilson-Moore as Assistant Principal of the Year, Sam Zivin as Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year, Karla Sosa as Classified Employee of the Year, Brad Royal as Principal of the Year, Stephanie Fisher-Kennedy as Judy Mountjoy Volunteer of the Year and Nicole Wooten as Teacher of the Year. Each winner was given a hand-crafted glass award made by local artist Affee Vickers and a $500 check. It was a humbling and validating moment for each of the winners, who all credited their families, their coworkers and their love of the kids for getting them where they are.
“They allow me to be who I am and I am very grateful,” Wooten said of her team at Sedge Garden Elementary School. “I thank god for everybody who has supported me throughout my career.”
While only six winners took home the highest honors, this year’s CORE Awards were a reminder of how important everyone who works with WS/FCS is to academic success. It’s been another year rife with challenges brought on by the pandemic, but employees and volunteers have stepped up and done everything they can to help students flourish. That work is noticed and appreciated, as evidenced by the flood of submissions the community offered for nominees.
“We have so much talent across our district,” said Superintendent Tricia McManus. “I’m glad that I wasn’t on the selection panel because there are so many incredible educators here who deserve to be recognized.”
As WS/FCS begins to close the book on the current school year and look to the future, every single educator in the district should know how essential they are to ensuring student excellence and modeling the core values.
“We are so proud that you are part of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools,” Board of Education Chair Deanna Kaplan told the crowd at the awards ceremony. “In fact, you are Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.”