A Night of Recognition for Clarke County School District’s Educators
In a celebration of educational excellence, the Foundation for Excellence (FFE) hosted its annual awards ceremony to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of teachers and staff within the Clarke County School District (CCSD). The event underscored the foundation’s mission to transform community donations into classroom grants and monetary rewards for the district’s public schools.
Catherine Neace, FFE’s executive director, emphasized the often-overlooked achievements of the district. “I think a lot of people have this negative connotation of Clarke County School District,” Neace expressed, adding that the ceremony aims to inspire and highlight the positive developments within the district.
This year’s ceremony saw over 300 applications, yet only 14 individuals were selected as winners. Among the honored was Conor Naughton, a math teacher from Hilsman Middle School, who received the Ann M. Schindel Chair for Teachers of Mathematics Award, providing him $2,000 over two years. Notably, this marks the fourth occasion Naughton has been recognized by the FFE.
Reflecting on his teaching philosophy, Naughton shared, “I just want to convey to students how badly I want them to succeed and how much I care about them– not just as math students but holistically.”
The event was attended by fellow staff members and featured performances by the orchestras of Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central High Schools, adding a harmonious backdrop to the evening’s celebrations.
Looking ahead, the FFE is set to begin accepting nominations for the 2026 awards early next year, encouraging not just staff and students, but community members to participate in recognizing outstanding educational contributions.
