Cherokee Schools announces Media Specialist of the Year | Education

Cortez Deacetis

You won’t listen to “shhhhh” in Knox Elementary College STEM Academy’s media middle.

The vibrant and cozy library buzzes with learning and enjoyment under the leadership of media professional Leslie Hicks, who was named Cherokee County School District’s 2022 Media Professional of the Calendar year.

Superintendent Brian Hightower produced the surprise presentation Monday to Hicks, who now innovations to characterize CCSD in the regional competition, from which she could move on to the point out contest.

“Leslie sparks pleasure between everybody in the vicinity of her and serves as a function model for her college students and colleagues as to the price of lifelong studying,” Hightower said. “She has created the media middle a hub for examining, studying and engagement. I most admire her perseverance to building constructive tradition in her university and neighborhood by way of the media heart and its a lot of functions.”

As component of Monday’s celebration, Hicks was awarded an iPad pill and plaque, with the charges sponsored by Credit history Union of Ga, a CCSD Associate. She also will be congratulated by the Cherokee County University Board and superintendent at the March school board assembly.

All CCSD faculty media experts have been suitable for the award, and Hicks was picked as the winner from a pool of excellent nominees by a judging committee of retired educators and neighborhood leaders.

“The library is not just a put for publications it is a spot for mastering!” Hicks stated of her mission. “Fostering a positive setting is not only significant to me inside of the media center, but schoolwide.”

Principal Jennifer McIntosh explained Hicks embraces the job of the media middle as the school’s “largest classroom” and its “heartbeat.”

“She creates an engaging setting for our learners for the reason that she is committed to the mission of Knox to cultivate curiosity, significant thinking and make real-entire world connections,” she reported. “She is a threat taker, trailblazer and innovator. Her enthusiasm for both of those guides and studying is contagious.”

This 7 days, the media center bursts with Dr. Seuss figures and colours in celebration of Read through Throughout The us week, a single of the highlights of the 12 months that brings group associates into the school to be part of in unique examining functions. Monday, Hicks was dressed as an individual from a location she would like to stop by – Paris – as a nod to the Dr. Seuss e-book, “Oh, The Places You can Go” to rejoice Examine Throughout The usa 7 days. She also coordinates Examine for the Report and World Read through Aloud Working day activities with neighborhood companions, and invites children’s e book authors and illustrators, both equally internationally renowned and area, to check out.

Hicks teaches classes lessons in how to use means for investigate and best practices for electronic citizenship and successful use of technological innovation. She created a Lightbulb Lab Maker Place for learners to examine STEAM ideas hands-on and generates a school podcast for households and the community.

This college yr, she took on new targets which includes: encouraging all pupils receive Microsoft Youngsters certification by growing their technology literacy abilities, and selling reading by means of Beanstack application looking through issues with incentives and rewards for devoted audience.

Beyond the media centre, Hicks influences practices districtwide by sharing her skills, each from Knox and her earlier perform at Woodstock High University, by serving on district committees, building district experienced improvement and mentoring new media specialists. She even further supports her colleagues at Knox by serving on many committees such as the employees wellness committee as section of the #CCSDCares initiative.

Hicks gained her bachelor’s degree in education in 2007, followed by a master’s degree in educational know-how and a specialist in schooling diploma. She is a qualified media specialist and teacher, with credentials in quite a few subjects, and has acquired added technological innovation certifications such as Microsoft Ground breaking Educator Specialist and Typical Sense Media certified educator.

“I want instructors and students to truly feel supported and encounter constructive learning alternatives,” Hicks said. “That is my purpose with classes, shows and plans that I give by means of the media heart. I want to impressed college students and teachers to be lifelong learners.”

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