CCSD Celebrates 2025 Special Education Staff of the Year Award Winners

The Cherokee County School District is celebrating six of its outstanding Special Education team members!

Six members of CCSD’s Special Education department recently received top honors during the annual CCSD 2025 Special Education Staff of the Year Awards ceremony.  They are: Behavior Strategist of the Year Sayo Aybar; Itinerant Staff Member of the Year Bekah Bobo; Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist of the Year: Seth Talley, physical therapist; School Psychologist of the Year Kim Nofi; Special Education Facilitator of the Year Lisa Shepard; and Speech Language Pathologist of the Year Dawn Smith.

Each winner received a $200 Visa gift card from Credit Union of Georgia, a CCSD Partner.  Congratulations to our honorees, thank you to Credit Union of Georgia for its sponsorship, and thank you to our School Board for its longtime support of our Special Education program! 

Ms. Aybar, whose role is districtwide, has served with CCSD for six years.  Her colleagues shared that she: “has gone above and beyond in supporting staff and students … is amazing and works tirelessly to ensure student success … wants students to be successful and learn to communicate their wants and needs.”

Ms. Bobo, whose role is districtwide, has served with CCSD for one year.  Her colleagues shared that she: “has not only provided education to speech language pathologists, but has spent time with teachers, paras, and families to ensure they feel supported … does an amazing evaluation and really brings the kids to life in showing them what they can do with a device … is passionate about providing the best means of communication for each of our students and always advocates on the students’ behalf.”  

Mr. Talley, who serves the Cherokee Innovation Zone as well as Arnold Mill ES, Avery ES and Sixes ES, has served with CCSD for 14 years.  His colleagues shared that he: “has an amazing rapport with students and colleagues … goes above and beyond to make sure students have what they need and are making progress …    does a great job working with families and making sure students have the equipment they need to be as independent as possible at school and home.”

Ms. Nofi, who serves Cherokee HS, has served with CCSD for 25 years.  Her colleagues shared that she: “is a calming, articulate, productive, creating and intelligent force … nothing is too difficult or complicated for her … is always willing to assist others, usually above and beyond what is asked of her.”

Ms. Shepard, whose role is districtwide, has served with CCSD for 19 years.  Her colleagues shared that she: “truly embodies the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and dedication and serves as an exemplary role model for facilitators … doesn’t just give us the answers but she questions us forcing us to learn to problem solve … always comes with wisdom, expertise, and kindness when working with others -- she’s a rockstar!”

Ms. Smith, who serves Sixes ES, has served with CCSD for 13 years.  Her colleagues shared that she: “always makes herself available to support anyone who has a question … shows leadership with her expertise within the technical aspects of our field … is passionate about making sure her students get what they need.”

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