Baldwin High School's Dr. Damita Jones Receives 2025 Charles Perkins Award for Visionary Leadership in Career Education

Dr. Damita Jones with the 2025 Charles Perkins Award

Baldwin County Schools is proud to announce that Dr. Damita Jones, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for the North-East Region, has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Charles Perkins Award. This statewide honor recognizes outstanding leadership in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) and celebrates Dr. Jones’s innovative work in connecting students with real-world career opportunities.

A Champion for Student Success

Since stepping into her role, Dr. Jones has forged impactful partnerships with more than a dozen local employers across industries like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology. Her efforts have created paid internships and mentorships that allow high school students to gain hands-on experience and explore future careers.

Thanks to her leadership, the regional Work-Based Learning (WBL) program has expanded by 35%, helping more students graduate with industry-recognized credentials and the confidence to pursue meaningful career pathways.

“Being nominated for the Charles Perkins Award is an incredible honor,” said Dr. Jones. “My goal has always been to help our students discover their strengths and step confidently into their futures. This nomination reminds me that when educators and businesses work together, we truly transform lives.”

Dr. Jones accepts the award at the GCTAE Conference

A Well-Deserved Honor

The award was presented at the Georgia Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education Conference (GCTAE) on June 15, where Dr. Jones was celebrated for her passion, strategic vision, and commitment to educational excellence.

Mr. Lassetter, CTAE Director for Baldwin County Schools, praised her impact, “Dr. Jones’s strategic vision and tireless advocacy have already made a measurable impact on our community. Her receipt of the Charles Perkins Award underscores her commitment to excellence and innovation in career education.”

Join Us in Celebrating Dr. Jones

We are incredibly proud of Dr. Jones and the transformative work she continues to do on behalf of our students and community. Her dedication is a shining example of the Baldwin County School District’s commitment to preparing students for success in tomorrow’s workforce.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Damita Jones on this well-deserved achievement!

About the Charles Perkins Award

Named after Charles “Chuck” Perkins, a visionary advocate for Georgia’s Work-Based Learning programs, this award honors WBL Coordinators who demonstrate exceptional dedication to preparing students for life beyond high school. Perkins’s legacy is rooted in his unwavering commitment to building workforce-readiness programs that connect students with real-world experiences and career pathways.

The Charles Perkins Award is one of the highest honors a Work-Based Learning leader can receive in Georgia, highlighting the lasting impact these educators have on both student achievement and local economic development.