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Unsung Educator of the Week

The "Unsung Educator of the Week" is a weekly honor given to a CCSD educator. The winner is nominated by a peer because of their determination to go above and beyond for our students. The winner for the week is published each Friday in the CCSD All Staff newsletter.

CCSD employees may submit nominees via this link or by emailing a name, description, and photo to stephen_wyatt@charleston.k12.sc.us

ARCHIVES: Unsung Educator 2019-2020

September 29, 2022
Cindy Kessler
CCSD Nutrition Services

Cindy has worked with CCSD in the Nutrition Services department for 27 years. Starting out as the youngest manager to come on board, Cindy successfully managed multiple school cafeterias, winning manager of the year for her work at West Ashley High School. Cindy then went onto become a project manager, working on supper, afterschool snack and our summer meals program.

Cindy has now moved into an operations manager position with Nutrition Services, where she takes her vast knowledge out to schools to train and coach new and existing managers, all the while working on the programs she has fostered and developed."

September 22, 2022

Liliana Montalvo-Perez (Bilingual Secretary)
Ladson Elementary School

"Ms. Lilly works so hard helping our Hispanic families, and those who identify with the Spanish language. It is so refreshing to see how our Spanish speaking families, who come in nervous to communicate, light up when they see her in the front office. It gives them a level of comfort and confidence to advocate for their child, knowing their concerns can be clearly communicated.

Even more, Ms. Lilly often takes the time to visit classrooms of our children who are still learning to communicate in English. When she looks at them and says, "hola" the look on their face is priceless!

Fear goes away, a smile arrives, and often tears disappear with a simple hug from her. Ms. Lilly has worked with not only Ladson families, but also the families of Goodwin & Lambs Elementary over the past 10 years.

She has made such an impact everywhere she goes, that we have even had families who she helped years ago, come in to find her.

Often it is to just say thank you, or to show her how well the student is now doing in Middle or High School. These families also share with their neighbors how amazing Lilly is! We are so lucky to have her!" --nominated by a colleague

September 15, 2022

Meghan Morris
Expanded Learning Kaleidoscope

"Meghan has worked with CCSD for over ten years. She works diligently to support the recruitment of qualified staff for 50 Kaleidoscope and 21st CCLC afterschool programs. She has worked as a site coordinator, assistant site coordinator, and counselor; she is a proud graduate of the College of Charleston.

Meghan believes that qualified staff helps to promote the vision and goal of CCSD. One of her beliefs is that ALL CCSD children, especially at the early learning and elementary school levels should have the opportunity to participate in afterschool learning (academic support, exposing students to enrichment activities, and socializing with peers) in a safe and fun environment.

If you ask her supervisor and co-workers what they admire most about Meghan, you will get a consistent theme "Meghan has been a great asset to our department, and we are so glad she is on our team!"

September 9, 2022

Rebecca Accolla, Assistant Principal
Pinckney Elementary School

Mrs. Accolla lives to help others. She has joined our staff here as a teacher in the past and is now our assistant principal. She spent many hours over the summer painting the walls in the hall. When something needs to get done, she is on it in a minute. I have never seen her standing still. No job is beneath her. If it needs fixing, painted, scrubbed or replaced, she is on it. She even took home the classroom trash cans and power sprayed them. She does this all for the kids. So they can have a safe, clean and inviting environment. We appreciate everything she does for us all. Pinckney is blessed to have her.

September 4, 2022

Phillip Sisombath
James Simons Montessori School

"Mr. Phillip" joined the James Simons community during the 2021-2022 school year, and our students and staff have been the beneficiaries. Officially serving as a Teacher Assistant in a Lower Elementary classroom, Mr. Phillip shares his calm energy to all of the students who he encounters. He is always willing to lend a helping hand and is a true team player.

Mr. Phillip understands that relationships are the foundation to success and he takes the time to get to know the students. His sense of humor and caring smile let everyone know that he is someone to be trusted. Whether it is when he is greeting students in the cafeteria or taking a walk with a friend who may be having a tough day, Mr. Phillip continuously exemplifies the power of kindness. Additionally Mr. Phillip helps elevate his student’s potential by truly listening to them and learning about their lives and encouraging them to share their gifts, even if they are not yet able to see those gifts. He is a true visionary and a natural Montessorian who sees the good in everyone, even if, and especially if, they don’t see that good in themselves.

During the 21-22 school year as students were rehabilitating to full time school after a year and a half of virtual instruction and a myriad of other learning obstacles that the Covid19 Pandemic brought, Mr. Phillip served as a rock in our community. His stability and consistency was something that students and staff alike learned to rely on.

As this new school year begins, we are once again blessed to be in the presence of such an enlightened educator and positive person who reminds us what really matters in life and school. We love and appreciate you Mr. Phillip! --nominated by a colleague

August 29, 2022

Julia Carter-Wood, Interventionist
Meeting Street at Burns Elementary

Julia Carter-Wood Mrs. Carter-Wood as an Unsung Educator exudes the absolute care, compassion and concern for our students.

Mrs. Carter-Wood exemplifies putting students at the heart of her work daily. She goes above and beyond for our kiddos by ensuring her learning environment is rigorous yet joyful. She holds high expectations while still showing a whole lot of love. She is patient, thorough, nerdy over data, teaches with such urgency like her hair is on fire, she's a fabulous listener and a constant #1 supporter for all of our kiddos and their families.

In addition to being a great help to our students and families, she supports her colleagues in the same manner.

Meeting Street @ Burns is SO LUCKY to have someone with her knowledge, expertise and passion! Everyone loves Mrs. Carter-Wood!!!!