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Paulding schools honor employees and STEM teacher recognized with state award

Paulding County Board of Education · March 25, 2026

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Summary

The board recognized district 'star staff' winners and presented a Don Cargill STEM Scholar Award to an Austin Middle School teacher, highlighting local staff achievements and a $500 award for classroom STEM projects.

At its March 24 meeting the Paulding County Board of Education recognized outstanding employees across multiple categories and celebrated a regional STEM award for a middle‑school teacher.

Chief talent officer Carol Finnessy presented the district’s Stars to App winners across eight categories, naming Nelson Hunter (Herschel Jones Middle) and other category winners and awarding the Golden Apple to Tara Carter Howard (Paulding County High School paraprofessional) for a life‑saving response to a student medical emergency.

Sarah Graham introduced Kathy Fontenot of the West Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center, who presented the Don Cargill STEM Scholar Award to Linda Kurtz of Austin Middle School. The award includes a $500 check for the school to implement a hands‑on STEM project and state recognition at a future legislative celebration.

Why it matters: the recognitions highlight staff contributions to student safety, instruction and extracurricular enrichment across the district and provide a targeted grant for classroom STEM work.

What’s next: the district will honor the county and district teachers of the year at an April 17 breakfast; further details and photos are available on the district website, the superintendent said.