Honoring Exceptional Educators
An integral part of the Decatur Education Foundation’s mission is to recognize and celebrate the exceptional educators who support the youth of Decatur. Your generous contributions enable us to foster an environment where our outstanding educators and professionals are celebrated and empowered to make a lasting difference for our youth.
Each year, the Decatur Education Foundation and the City Schools of Decatur recognize outstanding educators and staff members with the Teacher of the Year and Professional Employee of the Year awards. It is one of the highest honors bestowed by our educational community!
DEF’s Extra Mile Awards are heartfelt acknowledgments of the extraordinary support provided by City Schools of Decatur faculty and staff — and the best part is that these awards are initiated by our own students! Nominations come from students who share personal accounts of educators and staff members who have gone above and beyond.
The Carriere Family Scholarship for Teachers, established in 2007 by Jane Carriere, former mathematics educator with the City Schools of Decatur, encourages excellence in mathematics, science, and special education. The scholarship aids Decatur teachers pursuing advanced degrees with a specialized focus in one or more of these areas.
The Clarence Strickland Make a Difference Award is named in honor of the remarkable Clarence Strickland, former head custodian at Decatur High School. This prestigious award acknowledges the selfless dedication of a CSD employee who has shown exceptional compassion to ensure the well-being and safety of a student in need.