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Graduation Specialists
Our Graduation Specialists are making a difference in the lives of students! Funded by the Federal CARES Act III Grant, the roles were added to our team during the 2021-2022 school year with the goal to improve graduation rates within each high school.
To achieve that goal, the Graduation Specialists identify students who are at risk of not graduating high school and/or who are not on track for an on-time graduation. From there, they develop support and interventions for those students. They work with students on individual graduation and achievement plans and connect them with mentors and community organizations to help. Students get education and career plans to guide them to meet academic and graduation goals.
During their first year, our Graduation Specialists worked with more than 300 students and helped guide them to graduation.
Andrew shares what that their guidance includes: "The majority of my work was being a voice of encouragement to the students. A lot of the students I work with do not really see the academic capabilities they actually possess. My main focus was to show them that they could achieve success at school with the right approach. Every week, I would check in with students on my caseload to see how they were doing, make sure they were staying focused on their goals, and encourage them to persevere."
Alyson says, “Working with my kids is an absolute joy. It is incredibly rewarding to build relationships with my students, and then to have the opportunity to become their biggest advocate. Barrow County offers amazing resources, opportunities, and support... all of which enabled me to help students and their families formulate goals, envision a career, and achieve the goal of graduating high school and walking across the 50-yard line! The most fulfilling aspect of my job, however, is experiencing the excitement and dedication my kids expressed once they had a plan and could see a clear path to a more productive school experience.”
After the shooting at Apalachee on September 4, 2024, a group of teachers and staff fro...
Many students struggle with the transition from middle school to high school. Gavin Gri...
The main objective for the Graduation Specialists in Barrow County is to make sure that...
Whenever a person falls behind and feels like giving up, they must dig deep down to fin...
Mady Delira Castaneda is an Apalachee senior who has grown tremendously as a student ov...
Winder Barrow High School senior, Candido Juarez, had a fantastic start to his high sch...
Brooke Valles’ story is one of a student overcoming adversity with immeasurable resilience. It is an inspiring account of strength and perseverance...a defiance of all the obstacles that life has thrown her way.
Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy (BASA) senior, Laine Felcan was added to the Grad Trac...
Victoria Looney is an Apalachee senior who has worked hard to make her way to graduatio...
ANDY DEAN
Andy Dean has language arts and literacy instructional experience in Madison, Gwinnett, Clarke, and Barrow County counties. Andy has provided student support for tutoring, mentoring, advisement, PBIS planning and programming, and social emotional learning teams.
ALYSON CRAMER
Alyson Cramer has a strong background in middle school mathematics and has served as grade level chair and math vertical team leader. She was instrumental in the RTI program at Russell Middle School. Mrs. Cramer was the RMS 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year.
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