• Christ the King School celebrated its 29th year of service to the Midtown Assistance Center through the annual seventh-grade food drive this November. Students not only collect food, but help work at MAC for the day and then visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. MAC is an interfaith organization that provides emergency assistance to low-income working Atlantans. The donations provide nourishment to those in need.
• Marietta Sixth Grade Academy teachers Nina Small, Shawnette Johnson, and Ashley Powell received the 2015 Voya Financial Unsung Heroes Award and a $2,000 grant for their education project "iFlow tablet Learning Lab." The team's project enables students to utilize various digital components and collaborate with peers outside their classroom using web 2.0 tools such as Edmodo, Today's Meet, Backchannel Chat, Class Flow and Nearpod. "Nina Small, Shawnette Johnson and Ashley Powell's iFlow tablet Learning Lab is deserving of this grant award. The results of their initiative will benefit our students, and fellow educators who will learn from their innovation," said Dr. Emily Lembeck, superintendent of Marietta City Schools.
• Brookwood High School's Cindy Quinlan has been named the Association for Career and Technical Education National Teacher of the Year. ACTE recognizes the finest career and technical education teachers at the middle and secondary school levels. Quinlan is the work‐based learning coordinator, marketing teacher and co‐DECA advisor at Brookwood High School. Since Quinlan took over the marketing program in 2008, program enrollment and DECA membership doubled; the program was awarded industry certification; numerous students went on to win state DECA competitions; and the school's student-run store (Bronco Stampede) quadrupled its sales. "Not only does Ms. Quinlan teach fundamental values, but she also changes lives each and every day, from year to year," said former student Jasmine Morgan. Quinlan was one of five finalists for the 2016 national title.
• Fulton County Schools' Chief Information Officer Serena Sacks was named one of Georgia's top "Women of the Year in Technology" by Women in Technology, an organization focused on creating opportunities for girls and women in technology. Winners were named in three categories: small/emerging, medium/mid-size and large/enterprise businesses. "It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of Fulton County Schools and the work we are doing to help each student reach their potential," said Sacks, who was recognized in the medium/mid-size business category. "We believe that each child is unique and that technology extends the capabilities and reach of teachers so that learning is personalized. Our children should be educated to become problem-solvers, care-takers and leaders so that they have the knowledge, critical thinking skills and motivation to make positive changes in the world."
• The Harrison High Marching Band from Kennesaw will perform in next year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. About 225 students will perform in the parade with about 30 chaperones and school officials overseeing the band members during their weeklong trip. Even now, the students are raising funds to help cover their trip expenses, which will be about $1,600 each. For information about the band, the trip and fundraising efforts, call 678-594-8104, or go online at www.HarrisonHigh.org.
