May 3, 2024 – The 2024 CORE Awards are in the books, and six new inspiring people have been crowned as winners amongst a pool of hundreds of talented educators.
For the past seven years, the CORE Awards have been held at the end of the school year to recognize educators who have gone above and beyond to make their schools the best possible places for students to grow and achieve. Categories include Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year, Classified Employee of the Year, Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year, and Judy Mountjoy Volunteer of the Year. It’s the biggest awards ceremony of the year in the district, an event that reflects the important role that dedicated employees play in fostering Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School’s core values.
“It really came from a desire to recognize and celebrate all of these key roles that make in our schools and our buildings and what makes them the best place to learn,” said Chief Communications Officer Brent Campbell.
The CORE Awards are a reminder that WS/FCS is fortunate to have an abundance of passionate and talented educators. It took months to narrow the field of hundreds of nominees down to five finalists in each of the six categories. Those who made it to awards night demonstrated a love for education and for student success that has translated not only into major accomplishments for their schools, but also into a foundational position of positive impact on their communities.
“I wanted to be a part of my grandson’s life… that changed from being part of his life to being the purpose of my life,” said Ben Miller from Sedge Garden Elementary School, who won Judy Mountjoy Volunteer of the Year. “It makes you want to get up in the morning.”
Of course, it wasn’t all about winning awards. The ceremony was an electric night of camaraderie marked by performances from the RJ Reynolds Acafellas, Lowrance Middle School percussionists, and the Marching Sounds of Thunder from North Forsyth High School. Finalists got an extra moment in the spotlight when they saw their posters hanging in the newly debuted CORE Awards Walk of Fame, and an introductory video reviewed some of the biggest successes the district has achieved in the 2023-24 school year. Everyone in attendance was left with a renewed sense of gratefulness for the magic that happens in the district’s schools.
“I would really like to ask that all of the recognition go to my school,” said Lowrance Middle School Instructional Facilitator Katherine Campbell, who won Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year. “Our students are amazing, and our teachers make me look really, really good.”
While not every educator, administrator, and volunteer in the district hoisted one of Affee Vickers’ gorgeous glass trophies on Thursday night, they’re all pieces of the beautiful mosaic that is WS/FCS, and the district will continue to take every opportunity to remind those stakeholders how valuable they are.
“Even with the obstacles and challenges, you show up for our kids every day,” said Superintendent Tricia McManus. “Thank you for continuing to shine like the diamonds you are.”
The Complete List of 2024 CORE Awards winners includes:
Assistant Principal of the Year: Adreian Pitts, Meadowlark Middle School
Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year: Katherine Campbell, Lowrance Middle School
Classified Employee of the Year: Ronnie Sockwell, Wiley Magnet Middle School
Principal of the Year: Dr. Thyais Lashon Maxwell, Carver High School
Judy Mountjoy Volunteer of the Year: Ben Miller, Sedge Garden Elementary School
Teacher of the Year: Ellen Hefner, Glenn High School
Congratulations once again to all of our 2024 CORE Awards winners, and to everyone who makes our district the best possible place to go to school!