May Pursuit of Excellence Winners

We would like to Congratulate the following employees who are the May 2023 recipients of the Pursuit of Excellence Award for the Baldwin County School District.

Charlotte Shores

School Nutrition Assistant

at Baldwin High School and Georgia College Early College

Mrs. Shores is working in her fourth year for the Baldwin County School District. She currently works as a School Nutrition Assistant at Baldwin High School and Georgia College Early College. Mrs. Shores was nominated by her Director, Susan Nelson and GCEC Bookkeeper, Lucy Brown. Ms. Nelson had the following to say: “Charlotte has worked delivering meals to Baldwin Success Academy and GCEC for several years. She is extremely dependable, always has a smile and is willing to go the extra mile. The work of preparing 300 plus meals per day, loading the van, unloading, serving, setting up and reloading is very labor intensive! She never complains about the heat, how cold it is or even recently fighting through major storms to serve the students."

Ms. Brown had the following to say: “Charlotte Shores is the epitome of selfless service. She goes above and beyond to make sure our students receive the best breakfasts and lunches possible. People may not realize it but food is prepared at Baldwin High School then loaded into a van and transported to Early College. Whether it's freezing, blustery, hot, humid, raining, sun shining, or during a tornado warning, she is loading, then unloading the food carts, pushing them across the parking lot, down the sidewalk and down the hall to set up for mealtime. All the while, she exudes joy with a smile. She also has a wonderful sense of humor! Few people would take on the task not once but twice a day. Charlotte is committed to caring for our students and we will be forever grateful for her service.”

Ms. Shores, thank you for being the epitome of excellence!

Bermisha Smith

6th Grade PEC Teacher at Oak Hill Middle School

Ms. Smith is working on her second year for the Baldwin County School District. Smith currently works as a Special Education Teacher at Oak Hill Middle School. She was nominated by her colleague, Laura Horton. Horton had the following to say: “Ms. Smith is the epitome of excellence! Although this is only her second year of teaching at Oak Hill Middle School, she is a force to be reckoned with. In this year alone, she completed the TAPP Program and her Master's degree in counseling while she took on training me as a first time inclusion teacher in addition to completing her own responsibilities as a Special Education teacher. Ms. Smith has a strong understanding of what excellence is and holds her students to that standard. She nurtures their physical, social, emotional, and academic needs as seamlessly as any teacher could. This inspiring teacher ensures that her students give their best and works diligently hand-in-hand with the parents to do so. She has taught me so much about pacing, the instructional needs of special education students, technology, and how to make lessons more engaging for a disinterested student. Ms. Smith stands as a beacon of excellence for everyone she comes in contact with and that is why I am nominating her for the Pursuit of Excellence recognition.”

Ms. Smith, thank you for being a model of excellence!

Carter Webb

Maintenance Mechanic/Carpenter

Mr. Webb is working in his 38th year for the Baldwin County School District. Mr. Webb currently works as Maintenance Personnel for the district. He was nominated by his colleagues, Katrina Veal and Karletta Jackson. Ms. Veal had the following to say: “Mr. Carter Webb has been with Baldwin County for 38 years. That, itself, speaks volumes. He is dedicated and always willing to lend a helping hand. He is my go to person for the school garden. Mr. Webb, will let me know when and how to plant certain seeds, and to go pull the weeds out. Whenever I need furniture assembled, he is right there to do it and has a smile on his face. His kind words will make any rainy day seem sunny. His favorite line is, "It's going to be a great day." When I asked him why he hasn't retired, he replied, 'For what, I love my job!' He hasn't stopped in 38 years and I don't see him stopping anytime soon. We love Mr. Webb at MHP and the love is definitely reciprocated.”

Ms. Jackson had the following to say: “He is always doing a good job no matter what is requested of him! Very Prompt!”

Mr. Webb, thank you for being a shining example of excellence!

Samantha Whatley

Teacher at Lakeview Academy

Ms. Whatley is working in her second year for the Baldwin County School District. Whatley currently works as a teacher at Lakeview Academy. She was nominated by her colleagues, Keith Pruett and Hannah Rauscher. Mr. Pruett had the following to say: “Mrs. Whatley has worked tirelessly on our new Units of Study for ELA. She has worked well beyond the extra paid hours to make sure each unit has the necessary components so our teachers are prepared and understand the units. Her professionalism with writing and explaining the units to teachers on her grade level has helped her grow as a teacher leader.”

Ms. Raucher had the following to say: “Sam goes above and beyond for her students and her coworkers. She works extremely hard before school and after school to ensure lessons are developed while being relative and engaging to the students. Sam is a contributing member on the PBIS Committee, New Teacher Committee, and the ELA Writing Committee. She too is a large part of our grade level collaborative planning. She brings great ideas, new strategies, and supportive resources to our plannings. Sam always takes initiative, has a strong work ethic, and finds different ways to make things easier for everyone else. She is a great leader and role model for student teachers and new teachers. Sam is always chipper and positive. Her attitude is contagious to those in our classroom as well as those she comes in contact with. Sam is not only a person of excellence to her coworkers but to her students. Her relationship with others is well recognized. Samantha is the reason behind the success of her students and classroom. Sam intentionally pursues the success of her students and no mountain will stand in her way.

Ms. Whatley, thank you for modeling excellence!