Featured among those Making a Difference is Winder-Barrow High School junior Chase Teate (featured top, R). He was selected to the Organizing Institute for Self Advocacy Fellowship Yargo teacher Kelly Shaw recently achieved National Board Certification

The Barrow County Board of Education joined with School Superintendent Dr. Ron Saunders in recognizing several achievements of staff and students at the March 6 board meeting.

First up was Apalachee High School teacher Janis Burton for developing a school-based enterprise for her vocational training students. The Wildcat Scratching Post Coffee Shop and school store opened in November of 2004 and her students operate the business on a daily basis.

From the onset, students, under Burton's guidance, followed the typical steps an entrepreneur would in opening a business. They began by writing a business plan and today are engaged in the total management and operation of the cafe. Jobs include accounting, bookkeeping, inventory control, sales and cashier.

"Students are learning real business skills that will follow them from high school to a career," said Amy Roark, transition coordinator, in explaining the recognition at the meeting.

Roark also introduced the next recognitions, which went to the program coordinators for the Governor's Council for Developmental Disabilities Partnership for Success grant. Cindy Saylor and Colleen Lambert provided support with training staff and students on learning self-determination skills. They provided self-determination curriculum and portfolios to several classes of middle and high school students and even an elementary class. They brought student volunteers to the Capitol on Disability Day and provided advice and financial support toward opening a PartnersClub at Apalachee for next year.

"Self-determination is a new concept in Georgia," explained Roark. "Barrow is the only county to implement self-determination at all three levels (elementary, middle and high school). It's the Governor's Council goal to have these classes in every high school in Georgia within five years."

The principles of self-determination include: freedom to choose a meaningful life in the community; authority-over a targeted amount of dollars; support to organize resources in ways that are life enhancing and meaningful to the individual with a disability; responsibility for the wise use of public dollars and recognition of the contribution individuals with disabilities can make to their communities; and confirmation of the important leadership role that individuals with disabilities and their families must play in a newly re-designed system and support for the self-advocacy movement.

Recognized for his advocacy efforts, Winder-Barrow High School junior Chase Teate was selected to the Organizing Institute for Self Advocacy Fellowship. The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities created the institute to support advocates who are already working hard to make changes in their own communities. The Organizing Institute develops and trains grassroots organizers and assists them to successfully complete projects in their communities. Chase was one of eight selected and is the only high schooler and male selected as well. He completed four months of training to learn the basics of disability rights and how to apply that knowledge when dealing with change issues within systems.

"My plan is to set up a mentoring program that would match two seniors in the special education program with about 10 rising sixth graders each to help mentor," he explained. "These would be kids who could graduate, but due to outside issues, they are most at risk of dropping out or doing poorly in school."

The program was featured in the "Making a Difference" magazine published by the Governor's Council on Development Disabilities and Chase was among the advocates pictured on the cover. Copies of the magazine were distributed to BOE members.

Auburn Elementary science fair winners were next recognized. The first Barrow County elementary school to submit projects for the competition, fourth and fifth grade winners were acknowledged and Principal Shawn Williams explained that Stephen Jenkins and Hope Mobley went to Regional competition where Jenkins placed second for his project, "Solar Power."

Yargo Elementary Principal Mike Carnathan introduced the next recognition. Fourth grade YES teacher, Kelly Shaw, recently achieved National Board Certification.

"Mrs. Shaw is in her first year here at Yargo," said Carnathan, "and she is a 15-year teacher. She began the process while living in Florida and completed it during this school year. We are very proud of her."

Shaw said her family support was invaluable.

"When I started I was a single mom," she said, "and my parents helped out a lot with my son, Tyler. It's really been a family endeavor. My husband has been behind me all the way and my students were my cheerleaders."

National Board Certification is comparable to graduate level coursework and standards are set by the board of directors of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

The state formerly gave a stipend for National Board Certification said Saunders, "but now only awards it to teachers who are in a needs improvement school. We have about 15 National Board Certified teachers in our system and we do award a salary increase."

Russell Middle School was awarded the Clean School of the month award. The award was begun several years ago as a way for board members to get into and become familiar with the schools. A committee visits four schools at a time and votes on the school that is particularly clean. A sign designating the award is placed at the school and the custodians receive a $50 bonus.

Originally published Wednesday, March 14, 2007