The CCSD was awarded the Georgia Charter System Foundation’s Leadership Development Award on Nov. 5. As a part of the award, the district was given a $10,000 check to continue the initiatives they were awarded for. “CCSD was recognized for its implementation of the “Leader in Me” instructional model and the TED-Ed Student Talks initiative, both of which are geared toward modeling, practicing, and celebrating leadership skills among students and support the district’s mission of creating educational journeys that empower all students to fulfill their potential,” CCSD Director of Communications Scott Thompson wrote in a Nov. 5 email announcing the award. Photo from the ODYSSEY archives
The CCSD was announced the winner of the Georgia Charter System Foundation’s Leadership Development Award on Nov. 5 at the GCS Fall Conference and Awards Breakfast.
The Clarke County School District has been recognized as the winner of the 2025 Georgia Charter System Foundation’s Leadership Development Award, honoring its districtwide efforts to foster student leadership and personal growth. As a part of the accolade, the district received $10,000 to continue its work.
The award was announced on Nov. 5 during the GCS annual Fall Conference and Awards Breakfast. The recognition is given each year to a Georgia charter system that demonstrates exceptional leadership through innovative practices.
The CCSD stood out for its use of both the “Leader in Me” programming and TED-Ed Student Talks initiative. The implementation of both programs has reshaped how the district teaches leadership skills from elementary through high school.
“This recognition affirms our shared belief that leadership is not limited to titles or positions; it’s a quality we nurture in every student. This award is a celebration of our students, our staff, and our community, who together remind us that leadership is not a destination, but a continuous journey of growth, purpose, and excellence,” CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott stated in a Nov. 5 CCSD press release.
The CCSD is one of the 48 public charter systems in Georgia, a model that allows districts flexibility in initiatives and programming, like “Leader in Me” and TED-Ed Student Talks, in exchange for measurable results.
The “Leader in Me” instructional model, adapted from Stephen Covey’s, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” teaches principles like goal setting and collaboration. What began as a pilot at Barnett Shoals Elementary in 2020 has now expanded across all CCSD schools. Teachers and administrators receive ongoing training to integrate these habits into classroom routines.
“This recognition affirms our shared belief that leadership is not limited to titles or positions; it’s a quality we nurture in every student.”
— Dr. Jennifer Scott,
CCSD Interim Superintendent
The TED-Ed Student Talks initiative gives high school students opportunities to research topics of interest, craft original presentations and share them publicly, mirroring the format of traditional TED Talks.
“As a district, we are committed to raising the bar in the pursuit of excellence,” Scott stated in the press release. “This award reflects just that. Through programs like TED-Ed and Leader in Me, our students are not just learning to speak up; they’re learning to stand tall. They are discovering their voices, setting goals, and leading with purpose and integrity.”
