Return to Headlines

Congratulations Forsyth County Education Foundation staff scholarship winners!

Congratulations to the 17 Forsyth County Education Foundation staff scholarship winners! Forsyth County Schools is not immune to the teacher and school counselor shortage facing our nation. We have found recent success “growing our own” by establishing teacher prep programs at all Forsyth County high schools, but face a large void when it comes to supporting the educational needs of current paraprofessionals (teacher assistants) who wish to advance to a teaching position and teachers who wish to advance to a school counselor role. Because of the 2023 iChallenge fundraiser, the Forsyth County Education Foundation is able to provide $1500 scholarships to 17 FCS employees in these two areas. These winners will use this scholarship for their education as they pursue their desired position as either a teacher or school counselor. Congratulations to the winners below:

  • Kristin Baugh is currently an IRR SE teacher at Hendricks MS. She aspires to become a school counselor.
  • Christy Freeman is a paraprofessional at Silver City ES, and she aspires to be an elementary school teacher.
  • Jenna-Ruth Hester is an EIP paraprofessional at Cumming ES. Her desired position is a middle school math teacher.
  • Aaron Honn is an IRR paraprofessional at Sawnee ES as he completes his program to become a certified teacher.
  • Rachel Hunsberger is currently an IRR paraprofessional at West Forsyth HS. Her desired position is a school counselor. 
  • Clare Kassalen is currently serving as a Skills Based Autism teacher at Whitlow ES as she completes her program to become a certified teacher.
  • Amy Knowles is currently an instructional assistant at Shiloh Point ES. She aspires to be a teacher. 
  • Ashley Landrum is currently a special education paraprofessional at Sawnee ES, and she aspires to become a special education teacher.
  • Courtney Miotti is a fifth-grade teacher at Sharon ES who is currently pursuing a career as a school counselor.
  • Lucy Murray currently serves as a school counselor at Chestatee ES as she is pursuing her degree to be a school counselor. 
  • Margarita Nunez is an IRR paraprofessional at Brandywine ES. She is in school to become a special education teacher.
  • Megan Plinck is a paraprofessional at Whitlow ES, and she aspires to be a special education teacher.
  • Meredith Raines is a teacher at New Hope ES, and she is in school to become a school counselor.
  • Amy Taylor is a paraprofessional at Vickery Creek MS. She aspires to be a specialized instruction teacher. 
  • Andria Ward currently teaches at Otwell MS, and she is working to become a school counselor. 
  • Amber Wardell is a paraprofessional at Liberty MS, and she aspires to be an IRR special education teacher. 
  • Ashley Wheeler is an instructional assistant at Kelly Mill ES. She is in school to become a special education pre-K teacher.