Caring and going above and beyond help describe what made the 2016 Classified Employees of the Year stand out. Cobb Schools announced the District’s four Classified Employees of the Year during a recognition luncheon at Roswell Street Baptist Church August 30.
The 2016 Classified Employees of the Year:
- Amanda Stone, special education paraprofessional at Chalker Elementary School
- Apolinar Padilla, head custodian at Lindley Sixth Grade Academy
- Dragan Cikic, head custodian at Pope High School
- Becky Kelley, secretary in the Special Education Department
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Amanda Stone, a special education paraprofessional at Chalker Elementary School.
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Apolinar Padilla, the head custodian at Lindley Sixth Grade Academy.
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Dragan Cikic, the head custodian at Pope High School.
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Becky Kelley, secretary in the Special Education Department.
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“Amanda is a wonderful employee, and she surely goes above and beyond,” said Chalker Elementary Principal Sharon Arduino. “She is so incredibly giving to our students. The thing that I’m most incredibly thankful for from Amanda is she is one of those employees who is so willing to take on additional duties. She is amazing.”
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- 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Amanda Stone, a special education paraprofessional at Chalker Elementary School, enjoys the Classified Employee of the Year luncheon prior to learning she is the District Classified Employees of the Year for the elementary level.
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- All Classified Employees of the Year nominees received a rose boutonniere at the Cobb Schools Classified Employee of the Year luncheon. Here 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Amanda Stone, a special education paraprofessional at Chalker Elementary School, has her rose pinned on prior to learning she is the District Classified Employees of the Year for the elementary level.
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- Amanda Stone, a special education paraprofessional at Chalker Elementary School, proceeds to the stage after learning she is the District Classified Employees of the Year for the elementary level.
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- Board of Education member Randy Scamihorn congratulates Amanda Stone as the 2016 Classified Employee of the Year. Stone is a special education paraprofessional at Chalker Elementary School.
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Amanda Stone, a special education paraprofessional at Chalker Elementary School.
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- Board of Education member Randy Scamihorn congratulates Amanda Stone for being selected as a Classified Employee of the Year. Stone is a special education paraprofessional at Chalker Elementary School.
The middle school Classified Employee of the Year, Apolinar Padilla, shared the same character trait with Amanda Stone of surpassing expectations.
“(Apolinar) takes pride in what he does. So it is very important to him that our school is exceptionally clean,” said Dr. Denise Magee, principal of Lindley Sixth Grade Academy. “Anyone he sees that has a need, he will go above and beyond to help that person. What we love about him—It is not for recognition—he just wants to help and make sure everyone is happy. Apolinar personifies the true meaning of ‘One Team. One Goal Student Success.’”
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Apolinar Padilla and his family during the Classified Employee of the Year luncheon. Padilla is the head custodian at Lindley Sixth Grade Academy.
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- 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Apolinar Padilla, the head custodian at Lindley Sixth Grade Academy, proceeds to the stage after learning he is the District Classified Employees of the Year for the middle school level.
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- Board of Education member Susan Thayer congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Apolinar Padilla.
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Apolinar Padilla, the head custodian at Lindley Sixth Grade Academy.
The going above and beyond theme continued with the high school Classified Employee of the Year, Dragan Cikic.
“(Dragan Cikic) does an amazing job keeping Pope looking sparkling,” said Dr. Robert Downs, principal of Pope High School. “Dragan has gone well above the normal head custodian duties. He has taken on the role of building engineer when my building engineer was out for an extended period of time. He did an amazing job keeping this place running smoothly.”
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- Dragan Cikic, the head custodian at Pope High School, listens to the speakers at the Classified Employee of the Year luncheon prior to learning he is the District Classified Employee of the Year for the high school level.
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Dragan Cikic, the head custodian at Pope High School.
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Dragan Cikic, the head custodian at Pope High School.
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- Board of Education member David Banks congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Dragan Cikic, the head custodian at Pope High School.
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- Board of Education members congratulate 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Dragan Cikic, the head custodian at Pope High School.
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- Dragan Cikic, the head custodian at Pope High School, proceeds to the stage after learning he is the District Classified Employees of the Year for the high school level.
Like the other Classified Employees of the Year, Becky Kelley stands out because of how she helps others.
“She is the glue that holds us all together. She is positive and professional in everything that she does,” said Susan Christensen, director of special education. “Becky cares about everyone, and it is very evident when she is on the phone with parents, administrators and colleagues.”
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- Superintendent Chris Ragsdale congratulates 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Becky Kelley, secretary in the Special Education Department.
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- Board of Education members congratulate 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Becky Kelley, secretary in the Special Education Department.
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- Board of Education members congratulate 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Becky Kelley, secretary in the Special Education Department.
The four District winners each received a commemorative crystal bowl and cash award from the Cobb Schools Foundation. Prior to Deputy Superintendent John Adams announcing the name of the District winners, school and department level honorees received plaques and were congratulated onstage by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and Cobb Board of Education Members Susan Thayer, David Banks, Scott Sweeney, Brad Wheeler and Randy Scamihorn.
Comedian and motivational speaker Kenn Kington served as master of ceremonies at the luncheon. Walton High School student Caroline Hakes sang the “National Anthem” and a fellow Walton High student Jamie Linton performed her rendition of a song from The Color Purple.
The Cobb Schools Foundation, Georgia Credit Union and Lifetouch helped sponsor the recognition luncheon.
The 2016 Classified Employees of the Year Nominees:
| Tammy Nall | Acworth Elementary School |
| Lisa Lewis | Argyle Elementary School |
| Sidney Eubanks | Austell Elementary School |
| Andrea Whitfield | Awtrey Middle School |
| Grace Williams | Baker Elementary School |
| Stephanie Kastner | Barber Middle School |
| Shannon Pierce | Bells Ferry Elementary School |
| Mary Elaine Echols | Belmont Hills Elementary School |
| Kimberly Cantrell | Big Shanty Elementary School |
| Mabel Morales | Birney Elementary School |
| Michelle Blancato | Blackwell Elementary School |
| Cam Kirk | Brumby Elementary School |
| Mark Mailloux | Bryant Elementary School |
| Dawn Stoudt | Bullard Elementary School |
| Richard Albury | Campbell High School |
| Brenda Sellers | Campbell Middle Middle School |
| Amanda Stone | Chalker Elementary School |
| Pierre Celin | Cheatham Hill Elementary School |
| Dwight McKissack | Clarkdale Elementary School |
| Jacqueline Cheese | Clay Elementary School |
| Cynthia Hembree | Compton Elementary School |
| Teri Neal | Cooper Middle School |
| Debra Mauldin | Daniell Middle School |
| Maureen Collins | Davis Elementary School |
| Gail Thomas | Dickerson Middle School |
| Mary Ortland | Dodgen Middle School |
| Ashley Matthews | Dowell Elementary School |
| Sarina Long | Due West Elementary School |
| Tracey Webb | Durham Middle School |
| Bobby Atterbury | East Cobb Middle School |
| Patricia Mabry | East Side Elementary School |
| Dawn Mahoney | Eastvalley Elementary School |
| Stephanie Offentier | Fair Oaks Elementary School |
| Ira Knowles | Floyd Middle School |
| Kelly Mattingly | Ford Elementary School |
| Laura Ramirez-Chamberlin | Frey Elementary School |
| Paula Griffin | Garrett Middle School |
| Beth Jann | Garrison Mill Elementary School |
| Beverly Lovett | Green Acres Elementary School |
| Maria Galvez-Munoz | Griffin Middle School |
| Shelly Pilot | Harmony Leland Elementary School |
| Tracey Constable | Harrison High School |
| Paul Norris | HAVEN at Skyview |
| Carla Dawson | Hayes Elementary School |
| Beth Russell | Hightower Trail Middle School |
| Kimberly Sides | Hillgrove High School |
| Suzanne Craig | Hollydale Elementary School |
| Allen Parrott | International Academy of Smyrna |
| Jane Morgan | Keheley Elementary School |
| Lisa Conley | Kell High School |
| Melinda Rucker | Kemp Elementary School |
| Marcia Marchman | Kennesaw Elementary School |
| Freddie Colson | Kennesaw Mountain High School |
| Lynda Gordon | Kincaid Elementary School |
| Darlene Phillips | King Springs Elementary School |
| Geraldine Askew | LaBelle Elementary School |
| Angela Carder | Lassiter High School |
| Laura Cabral | Lewis Elementary School |
| Apolinar Padilla | Lindley 6th Grade Academy |
| Stoney Lane | Lindley Middle School |
| Sherri Groves | Lost Mountain Middle School |
| Marco Leggi | Lovinggood Middle School |
| Dwight Moreland | Mableton Elementary School |
| Chandra Borden | Mabry Middle School |
| Jeanette Ingram | McCall Primary School |
| Clarence Hayes | McCleskey Middle School |
| Donna Denis | McClure Middle School |
| Holley Ashworth | McEachern High School |
| Theresa Morales | Milford Elementary School |
| Amy Inglee | Mountain View Elementary School |
| Allison Redhead | Murdock Elementary School |
| Julie Hughie | Nicholson Elementary School |
| Teresa Williams | Nickajack Elementary School |
| Fikera Gerald | North Cobb High School |
| Tiffany Childers | Norton Park Elementary School |
| Quintina Powers | Osborne High School |
| Amanda Woodham | Palmer Middle School |
| Raul Moliner | Pebblebrook High School |
| Carolyn Fontaine | Pickett’s Mill Elementary School |
| Jayna Robinson | Pine Mountain Middle School |
| Katherine Parks | Pitner Elementary School |
| Dragan Cikic | Pope High School |
| Sue McWhorter | Powder Springs Elementary School |
| Consuelo Sanchez | Riverside Intermediate School |
| Betsy De Los Santos | Riverside Primary School |
| Jo Anne Browne | Rocky Mount Elementary School |
| Kimberly Donina | Russell Elementary School |
| Shirley Luke | Sanders Elementary School |
| Sophea Jones | Sedalia Park Elementary School |
| Christina Nichols | Shallowford Falls Elementary School |
| Lea Gormanos | Simpson Middle School |
| Ronda Hiemstra | Smitha Middle School |
| Cindy Magana | Smyrna Elementary School |
| Corine Mattox | Sope Creek Elementary School |
| Belinda Brown | South Cobb High School |
| Marilyn Fitzgerald | Sprayberry High School |
| Donna Bramlett | Still Elementary School |
| Melody Ivy | Tapp Middle School |
| Makeda Smith | Teasley Elementary School |
| Janine Espriella | Timber Ridge Elementary School |
| Kimberly Glover | Tritt Elementary School |
| Susan Belvo | Varner Elementary School |
| Vicki Harris-Baker | Walton High School |
| Mary Brettner | Wheeler High School |
| Leslie McMahon | Accountability, Research and Grants Division |
| Beverly McDowell | Chief of Staff Division |
| Rebecca Kelley | Academics Division |
| Laura Hough | Financial Services Division |
| Dale Richardson | Fleet Maintenance Department |
| Anthony Conner | Food and Nutrition Services Department |
| Terry Vann | Human Resources Division |
| John Brannen | Maintenance Department |
| James Chapman | Operational Support Division |
| Mckawonjalia Bates | Technology Services Division |
| Daniel Blount | Transportation Department |
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- Walton High student Jamie Linton performed her rendition of a song from The Color Purple during the 2016 Classified Employee of the Year Luncheon on August 30.
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- Greg Talesky, Cobb Schools Foundation President, addresses the attendees of the Classified Employee of the Year Luncheon on August 30.
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- Comedian and motivational speaker Kenn Kington served as master of ceremonies at the luncheon.
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- Walton High School student Caroline Hakes sang the “National Anthem” during the Cobb Schools Classified Employees of the Year Luncheon on August 30.
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- Attendees at the Classified Employees of the Year greet each other prior to the start of the program on August 30.