DALTON, Ga. ā Dalton Public Schools is proud to announce the Game Ball winner for the month of August: Amy Sherman, 21st Century Program Director.
Superintendent Dr. Steven Craft launched the Game Ball recognition program to celebrate employees who go above and beyond in service to students, colleagues and the Dalton Public Schools community. The recognition is rooted in four core values from Jimmy Casasā Culturize: expecting excellence, carrying the banner, being a merchant of hope and being a champion for students.
The Game Ball Awards recognize employees whose work supports the entire district rather than a single school building ā individuals who work behind the scenes to ensure the district operates efficiently and responsibly in service of students, staff and families.
Sherman leads Dalton Public Schoolsā 21st Century Community Learning Center programs, a federally funded initiative that extends learning beyond the traditional school day by providing students with additional academic support, enrichment opportunities and engaging experiences designed to help them thrive. Leading the program requires significant planning, coordination and oversight, from managing federal requirements and budgets to supervising staff, coordinating daily operations and supporting students and families. Through her leadership, Sherman helps ensure students have access to meaningful opportunities that strengthen academic skills, encourage exploration and provide additional support for success in school and beyond.
Sherman's nomination came from Mollie Elrod, a Dalton High School graduate and first-grade teacher at Westwood School. Elrod completed an internship with Kid City this summer and said she was struck from her very first day by the scope of Sherman's work and the care she brings to it.
"Despite the many demands of this role, Amy consistently leads with professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the success of every student," Elrod wrote in her nomination. "What impresses me most is the countless hours spent behind the scenes to ensure the program runs smoothly. Challenges are handled with grace, staff members are supported and encouraged, and students remain the focus of every decision."
Elrod noted that Sherman embodies the district's Recalibrate initiative in her daily work, consistently championing students, cultivating a strong culture at Kid City, and reflecting on how to improve.
"Kid City continues to provide high-quality experiences for students because of Amy's vision, organization, and dedication," Elrod wrote. "Our district is fortunate to have someone so committed to serving students, families, and her staff."
Dalton Public Schools congratulates Amy Sherman on being named the August Game Ball winner and thanks her for her continued dedication to students and families across the district.
###