Media Specialist Wins Superintendent's Game Changer Award

Press release from CCSD:

Dec. 15, 2022

A school library media specialist has earned a top honor from the Cherokee County Superintendent of Schools!

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower this week presented the 2022 Game Changer Award for Instructional Support to Oak Grove Elementary School STEAM Academy media specialist Denise Lewis.

Four Game Changer awards are presented by Dr. Hightower each year: Instructional Support, to an employee who serves in a support staff role, Instructional Excellence to a classroom teacher, Instructional Leadership to a school or district leader and Instructional Advocacy to a non-CCSD employee.

Dr. Hightower thanked Ms. Lewis for her contributions to student learning, especially her role in helping lead the school in its recent successful transition from a Fine Arts Academy to a STEAM (STEM plus the arts) Academy.

“Media specialists play an important role in our schools, and Denise is an outstanding leader among them,” Dr. Hightower said. “She excels in her daily responsibilities, such as running the library, teaching students about literacy, research and technology and supporting teachers with resources. What makes her a Game Changer is that she not only does all that and more with excellence, she also took on additional responsibilities to help achieve the school’s transformation to a STEAM program.”

Ms. Lewis, a 22-year educator and past Innovation Zone Media Specialist of the Year, also was praised by Principal Penny Valle for her leadership in developing a 21st century media center and earning Common Sense national digital citizenship certification for the school.

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