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FCS Announces 2023-2024 Teacher/Professionals of the Year

FCS Announces 2023-2024 Teacher/Professionals of the Year

 

Elise Kreitner, special education teacher at Autrey Mill Middle School (AMMS), has been named the 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year (TOTY) for Fulton County Schools (FCS). Kreitner learned of her accomplishment on April 18 during a surprise visit by FCS staff to Autrey Mill, the first of three employee recognitions by the district on Tuesday. TOTY represents the highest honor the district bestows on its classroom teachers and celebrates excellence on numerous levels of educational professionalism.

“Our team members work tirelessly for the benefit of our students and each provide for their unique needs,” said FCS Superintendent Mike Looney. “Every year, we love to give a shoutout to our top-voted district teacher, school professional and support professional. Today, I am so proud of and celebrate Elise Kreitner, Barbara Rettker and Harriet Perry.”

“In Fulton, we expect the best, and today’s celebration illustrates that quality of excellence we prize in our district,” said Fulton County Board of Education President Kimberly Dove. “We are very grateful for all our employees and their dedication to our students.”

Kreitner joined the AMMS staff in 2017 having previously served at Ocee Elementary School since 2006. She loves teaching in the special education space emphasizing literacy and is known by her colleagues as a positive and enthusiastic force as well as a role model and leader. Kreitner has received training in numerous teaching methods including Lindamood-Bell which focuses on severe language processing disabilities; Math U See; Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS); and Structured Literacy, a systematic approach to all important components of literacy. In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Kreitner is a Services for Exceptional Children (SEC) mentor teacher at AMMS and an SEC Induction Advisor for district recruiting. In addition to twice qualifying as a TOTY finalist at Ocee, she was named one of four Special Needs Teachers of the Year by the Johns Creek Civitan Club in 2019.

“My job as a special education teacher is to be the key that unlocks what the child needs in order to learn successfully,” Kreitner said. “I am passionate about reading. I get to work to change the lives of my students for the better. I get to watch my students grow, learn, and reach wonderful heights.”

AMMS Principal J.E. “Trey” Martin says, “She is a champion teacher who is always looking to improve her craft with the latest and greatest evidence-based strategies. She has proven to be an innovative, passionate and flexible teacher who is dedicated to making each student feel confident and successful both in and out of the classroom.”

Rigorous criteria for the selection process is employed to determine the designation of Teacher of the Year, beginning with the Academic Leadership Team, which narrows the applicants down to one finalist from elementary, middle and high school levels. A district TOTY selection committee reviews the application materials and interviews the three semi-finalists to make their selection.

Barbara "Barb" Rettker, Professional Assistant III at Northview High School, was named the district’s School Professional of the Year. She has worked in Fulton for over 17 years where she has been actively involved in school life as a benefits coordinator, business partnership liaison, graduation committee member, hospitality chair for all administration-sponsored events, and a wellness ambassador. Additionally, she has participated in several district management certification programs. Outside of her FCS duties, Rettker serves as a member of the City of Johns Creek Public Art Board, the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) coordinator and is an officer in her homeowner’s association. This is an especially good year for Rettker as she has been named a SPOTY finalist for nine consecutive years since 2015!

“My most impactful years at Fulton County Schools started in 2016 when the Human Resources division started the Office Management Certification program,” said Rettker. “It was a beehive of professional development - it wasn't for everyone, but that's when I found my unmatched loyalty to the Fulton County School system. Through a span of two years these classes were a catalyst for my professional growth that made me feel valued and valuable. Back at school, I became a better employee and more of an asset because I could better answer questions, problem solve and find the way to get to ‘yes.’ There is no other place I would rather be.”

Northview Principal Martin Neuhaus praised Rettker saying she has been a great asset to the school community. “Simply put, Barb provides the support that allows all of us to be more effective in our jobs. For our students, she works with all our club sponsors, coaches, and department chairs to send out a daily announcement to our students to keep them informed of all things happening at Northview.”

Harriet Perry, central office financial analyst – Title I, was named FCS Support Professional of the Year. With 50 years of professional experience, Perry began her work with the district 19 years ago, seven of which she served in her current position. Her work consists of collecting data from various entities to analyze, determine poverty eligibility and develop per pupil allocations for all Title I-eligible schools. Among other duties, Perry also creates budget templates, monitors budgets for deficits and discrepancies, stays current on Title I regulations and compliance to project future budgetary needs, and provides technical assistance to school bookkeepers.

Catherine Harper, Federal Programs director, shared, “I have been consistently impressed by her outstanding work ethic, unwavering dedication to the district, and remarkable ability to innovate systems and processes.” Harper noted Perry’s commitment to persevere on long-term projects that result in more user-friendly systems for schools and significantly reduce work time, and which allow schools to gain access to their funds more quickly.

“I enjoy designing and presenting a new approach to doing business by automating manual processes that help to streamline and reduce errors while increasing speed and productivity,” Perry said.

Elise Kreitner

l-r: FCS Deputy Chief Talent Officer Eric Hollinhead, Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones, Supt. Mike Looney, FCS Teacher of the Year Elise Kreitner, Autrey Mill Principal Trey Martin, FCS Board Member representing District 5 Kristen McCabe, and Zone 6 Supt. Brian Downey.
Barb Rettker

l-r: FCS Supt. Mike Looney, Deputy Chief Talent Officer Eric Hollinhead, Board Member Kristen McCabe, School Professional of the Year Barb Rettker, Northview Principal Martin Neuhaus, Chief Academic Officer Cliff Jones, Chief Operating Officer Noel Maloof and Zone 6 Supt. Brian Downey.
Harriet Perry

l-r: FCS Director of Federal Programs Catherine Harper, Supt. Mike Looney, Support Professional of the Year Harriet Perry, and Board President Kimberly Dove.