2022-2023 GAEL Executive Officers
The 49th Annual Summer GAEL Conference has concluded, but the leadership is only beginning! History was made in the GAEL organization via the swearing-in of our new officers for 2022-2023:
2023 GAEL President: Dr. Zabrina Cannady, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, Houston County School District
2023 GAEL President Elect: Mrs. Valerie Suessmith, Chief Human Resources Officer, Henry County School District
2023 GAEL Treasurer: Dr. Aaron Geter, Superintendent of Wilkinson County School District
2023 GAEL Past President: Dr. Claire Buck, Retired Chief Academic Officer, Oconee County School District
Please join us in congratulating and supporting our new executive officers!
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2022 H.M. Fulbright Award
Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans
The H.M. Fulbright Award is GAEL’s highest honor, awarded annually at Summer GAEL to a GAEL member who has shown significant achievement in the field of educational leadership and who has made significant contributions to GAEL. The honor goes to individuals who personify the leadership qualities modeled by GAEL’s first President and Executive Director, Dr. H.M. Fulbright.This year’s winner is Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans, current Executive Director of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia and a GAEL Past President in 2010-2011.
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2022 Jim Puckett
Outstanding Educator Awards
Each year, GAEL provides the affiliate organizations the opportunity to nominate fellow members for the prestigious “Outstanding Educator Award,” named after GAEL’s third Executive Director, Dr. Jim Puckett.
The honor goes to individuals who personify the leadership qualities modeled by Dr. Puckett on behalf of the GAEL organization for so many years.
GAESP: Brandi Johnson, Haralson County
GAMSP: Rhonda Gulley, Thomaston-Upson County
GASSP: Dr. Philip Brown, Jackson County
GACIS: Dr. Alicia McCartney, Gwinnett County
G-CASE: Jennifer Donnelly, Bibb County
GASPA: Valerie Suessmith, Henry County
GSSA: Dr. Rob Brown, Lumpkin County
SSTAGE: Dr. Tabathia Baldy, Colquitt County
GELFA: Dr. Jimmy Zoll, University of North Georgia
2022 John Yates Scholarship Winners
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2022 John Yates Scholarship
GAEL is proud to award two $750 scholarships each year at the Summer GAEL Conference to GAEL members who are currently enrolled in a college or university leadership preparation/development degree program.
Winners are recognized in honor of Dr. John Yates, GAEL’s 2nd Executive Director.
The 2022 winners are:
Amy Bartlett, Forsyth County Schools
Felicia Madison, Dooly County Schools