Labor Unions Honor Dr. Carstarphen as Georgia Superintendent of the Year

From left: Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, APS Superintendent Dr. Meria J. Carstarphen, APS Board Member At-Large Cynthia Briscoe Brown, APS Board Chair Jason Esteves and APS Board Vice Chair Eshé Collins

Before a crowd of colleagues, students and community advocates, Dr. Meria J. Carstarphen humbly accepted the 2018 Georgia Superintendent of the Year Award at an honorary ceremony on July 12.

Presented by The American Federation of State and County Municipal Employees Local 1644 (AFSCME) and the Georgia Federation of Public Service Employees (GFPSE), the award was first announced at the May 7 meeting of the Atlanta Board of Education. Speaking during the public comment period at that meeting, AFSCME President Tracey Thornhill highlighted recent improvements in test scores throughout APS and improved employee morale as contributing factors in their decision to name Dr. Carstarphen as Georgia Superintendent of the Year.

“Her leadership is bold and inclusive,” said GFPSE Executive Director Demetric Bishop. “Dr. Carstarphen is the best Superintendent in the state of Georgia, and our students and community are blessed to have her.”

More than 100 guests gathered at Twin Towers East to celebrate and congratulate Dr. Carstarphen, including former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop’s District Director Kenneth Cutts, City Council President Felicia Moore, board members, teachers, students, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and school safety officers.

“It goes without saying that the social and economic achievements of organized labor are immeasurable,” Dr. Carstarphen said during her remarks. “I want to thank each and every one of you for working to make our society a better place that benefits all Americans. I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award, and I accept this honor on behalf of everyone in Atlanta Public Schools who believes in the success of our students.”

Thank you @AFSCME & #GFPSE 4 naming me GA Superintendent of the Year! It is a true honor to serve not only APS students but Atlanta community as well! Gr8 evening w my fellow public servants! pic.twitter.com/RvjraQW9mz

— Meria Carstarphen (@CarstarphenMJ) July 13, 2018

What an honor! Congratulations to Superintendent @CarstarphenMJ, the @AFSCME and #GFPSE Georgia Superintendent of the Year! Thank you for your dynamic leadership! pic.twitter.com/kdaxWb1oAF

— ATL Public Schools (@apsupdate) July 12, 2018