678-544-0221 sdobbins@gaspa-hr.com

Awards and Recognition

Recognize excellence in GASPA members from across the state.

We are proud to recognize excellence in GAPSA members through a variety of awards.

Best in Class Awards

GASPA’s Best in Class Awards recognize district excellence in the areas of employee handbooks, recruitment, retention, website development, employee benefits, and strategic practices. District submissions will be their eHandbooks (or alternate formats) used to disseminate information to employees relative to district expectations, resources, operational procedures, etc. The financial resources of the school district will be considered in the selection process

2023 Award Recipients

    • Employee Benefits
      • Clarke County School District – Gold
      • Clayton County Public Schools – Silver
      • Cobb County School District – Gold
    • Employee Handbooks
      • Clayton County Public Schools – Silver
      • Newton County School System – Gold
    • Recruitment Process/Materials
      • Newton County School System – Gold
      • Savanna-Chatham County Public School System Certified – Gold
      • Savanna-Chatham County Public School System Classified – Gold
      • Twiggs County Schools – Silver
    • Retention Practices
      • Clarke County School District – Platinum
      • Griffin-Spalding County School System – Silver
      • Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Certified – Gold
      • Rockdale County Public Schools – Silver
      • Twiggs County Schools – Gold
    • Strategic Partnerships
      • Savannah-Chatham County Public School System – Platinum
      • Twiggs County Schools – Gold
    • Website Development
      • Rockdale County Public Schools – Platinum
Distinguished Service Award

The purpose of the award is to recognize an active member of GASPA who has added value to the organization in their length and quality of service to GASPA, overall service, and value-added to GASPA.  The recipient of this award has demonstrated competencies in Human Resources and a strong commitment and dedication to GASPA and the HR profession.  Nominations are submitted by the general membership and selection is made by the GASPA Executive Board and Awards Committee chaired by the President-Elect.  This award is the highest honor achieved by A GASPA member and is only presented when an appropriate individual is identified.  The award is presented at the Spring GASPA Conference.

Award recipients:

    • Barbara Cooper
    • Bobby Stephens
    • Mary Jessie
    • Candace Norton
    • Vince Richardson
    • Sid Camp
Outstanding Regional Director Award

The purpose of the award is to recognize an active Regional Director who has demonstrated distinguished leadership and service to the members of their region.  The award is presented at the Spring GASPA Conference.

Award Recipients:

    • Gary Jenkins
    • Debbie Bennett
    • Gay Truelove
    • Elizabeth Young
President's Award

The purpose of the award is to recognize an active member of GASPA who has done extraordinary work and made a significant impact on not only GASPA but on the educational leadership community as a whole.   The award is presented at the Spring GASPA Conference.

Award Recipients:

    • Mary Jessie
    • Melissa Shepard
Jimmy Stokes Exemplary Service Award for GASPA Members

The GAEL board of directors recognizes those members who have received acclaim from GAEL Affiliates during that current year.  Recognition is given to those who have devoted many years of service to GAEL or to GAEL Affiliates.  The award is presented at the Winter GAEL Conference.

Award Recipients:

    • 2013 – Wilma Widmer
    • 2014 – Kim Clayton
    • 2015 – Mary Jessie
    • 2016 -Sid Camp
    • 2017 – Vince Richardson
    • 2018 – Valerie Suessmith
    • 2019 – Candace Norton
    • 2020 – Ramon Ray
    • 2021 – Gary Jenkins
    • 2022 – Clark Maggart
    • 2023 – Brad Brown
Jim Puckett Outstanding Educator Award

Each year, GAEL provides members the opportunity to nominate fellow members for the Outstanding Educator Award.  The honor goes to individuals who personify the leadership qualities modeled by GAEL’s third executive director Dr. Jim Puckett.  The award is presented at the Summer GAEL Conference.

Award Recipients:

  • 2016 – Candace Norton
  • 2017 – Mary Jessie
  • 2018 – Sid Camp
  • 2019 – Anthony Wright
  • 2020 – Valerie Suessmith
  • 2021 – Gary Jenkins
  • 2022 – Valerie Suessmith
  • 2023 – Ramon Ray

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