CCSD Leader Named 2023 National Outstanding Assistant Principal

Press release from CCSD:

April 18, 2023

A Cherokee County School District leader has been named a 2023 National Outstanding Assistant Principal!

Laura Casey, an assistant principal at Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy, is one of 19 elementary school leaders nationwide to earn the annual honor presented by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). She was nominated by the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals.

“In an age of heightened accountability, it is particularly important that today’s assistant principals are equipped to face the challenges of preparing students for a continuously changing society,” said Nikki Sparks, director of the national recognition program. “This award program seeks to recognize and reward the important contributions assistant principals make in schools and communities, and NAESP commends Laura’s continued dedication and commitment to ensuring the success of all children.”

As part of the honor, Ms. Casey has been invited to the national association’s annual conference this summer in Maryland, where she and her fellow award winners also will be honored. She additionally will be honored at the state association’s summer business meeting and fall conference awards banquet. The Cherokee County School Board and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower will recognize Ms. Casey at an upcoming school board meeting.

“Congratulations to Laura on this well-earned honor recognizing her outstanding commitment to excellence in elementary education,” Dr. Hightower said. “She has excelled as a teacher and administrator by prioritizing the highest quality classroom instruction and by building meaningful positive relationships with students and their families and her colleagues. Laura is a wonderful representative for her school, our school district and our state, and we’re incredibly proud to see her receive this prestigious national recognition.”

A 22-year educator, Ms. Casey served as a classroom teacher for all grades from kindergarten through fifth during her tenure before serving as an instructional lead strategist at Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy. She was appointed to serve as assistant principal for Woodstock ES in 2020 and for Clark Creek in 2021, and earned the 2022 Georgia PTA District 13 Assistant Principal of the Year award for elementary schools with more than 750 students.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston, master’s degree from Kennesaw State University and specialist degree from the University of West Georgia. Ms. Casey also has earned endorsements for teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages and Gifted students and in coaching her fellow educators and administrators.

As part of the honoree selection process, nominees submitted best practices to share with their colleagues; excerpts from Ms. Casey’s submission are posted online at https://www.naesp.org/spotlight/laura-casey/

This press release was produced by CCSD. The views expressed here are the author's own.