Atlanta Public Schools Celebrates Excellence Everywhere at the 2024 APyeS! Awards Gala

Atlanta Public Schools celebrated a night of excellence with elegance at the 2024 APyeS! Awards on Saturday, November 9th at the Atlanta Marriot Marquis.

The 2024-2025 School-Level Teachers and Support Professionals of the Year were honored and lauded with support from their colleagues, families and friends as they entered the Atlanta Ballroom.

This special occasion featured student performances from the Miles Elementary Chorus Ensemble, North Atlanta soloist Naomee Tiebi, and was hosted by WSB-TV anchor Lori Wilson.

APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson was joined on stage by Atlanta Board of Education chair Erika Mitchell and vice chair Jennifer McDonald to present the awards to the evening’s honorees.

“This is a special occasion dedicated to honoring individuals whom their peers have recognized for their outstanding contributions,” Dr. Johnson said. “I am truly honored to be in the presence of such remarkable honorees. Thanks to your efforts and those of many other dedicated professionals in APS, our students are indeed being prepared for college, career, and life.”

The highlight of the evening, the Teacher of the Year Award, was presented to Lidra Nicole West, a third-grade teacher at Burgess-Peterson Academy. This was the second year in a row that a teacher from Burgess-Peterson Academy won Teacher of the Year.

“We say APyeS because we are different. Made to stand out and never fit in,” West said in her acceptance speech. “APS, I thank you tonight for trusting me with this honor. I promise and I’m committed to represent the best district in the nation, the best district in the world, with a heart of gratitude, integrity, and as a woman of dignity.”

The 2024-2025 Principal of the Year was awarded to Dr. Tara Cotton Spencer of William M. Finch Elementary School. Through her leadership, she has fostered a culture of actionable change, which has led to tangible improvements in student and teacher performance, school programs, and overall education outcomes.

The 2024-2025 Assistant Principal of the Year was Lami Ojezua of William J. Scott Elementary School. In 18 years of service in Atlanta Public Schools, the former Teacher of the Year (2015) believes in addressing each student’s starting point, recognizing their unique needs, and providing the support necessary to unlock their full potential.

Additional APyeS! Awards recipients include the following:

• Teacher of the Year: Lidra Nicole West, Burgess-Peterson Academy
• Principal of the Year: Dr. Tara Cotton Spencer, William M. Finch Elementary School
• Assistant Principal of the Year: Lami Ojezua, William J. Scott Elementary School

L.E.A.D.S. Awards

• Student First Award: Asman Abdullahi, Student Support Disproportionality Specialist
• Schools First Award: Maria Grovner, Student Counseling Coordinator
• Service First Award: Monique Ivey

GO Teams Awards

• Excellence in Leadership: Melanie Sithole, Tuskegee Airmen Global Academy
• Outstanding GO Team: Benjamin E. Mays High School

Special Awards

• District Partner of the Year: Chick-fil-A
• Excellence in Family Engagement Parent Liason: Christopher Estes, Benteen Elementary School
• Excellence in Family Engagement Community Award: City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
• Excellence in Family Engagement School Based: Benteen Elementary School