2022-2023 | CLASS ACT 25
their most challenging
moments.
“I help hold the child
together long enough for
them to get more extensive
and long-term help,” she
said. “I put it on myself to
ensure these families
receive the mental health
support they need because
it is not an easy process …
and mental health is not
getting better anytime
soon. Each day I come to
work I am determined to
make someone’s life a little
better.”
Ms. Kong believes
“consistent love, compassion
and resilience are what
make every high school
counselor stand out as
being worthy of recognition.”
In her role at River
Ridge HS, Ms. Kong not
only provides guidance
counselor services to
individual students, including
academic, social,
emotional and career
counseling, she also oversees
various school programs,
such as coordinating
the school’s dual
enrollment and college
admissions speakers,
college field trips, distribution
of scholarship information,
and Georgia
Governor’s Honors Program
nominations.
“Kati has many
strengths, but her main
strength, from my observation,
is her ability to relate
to students and staff. Her
ability to make people feel
comfortable and safe has
earned her the respect of
many,” Principal Todd
Miller said. “Being a
guidance counselor today is
one of the most difficult
jobs in the high school
setting. Kati embraces not
only her required tasks and
role, but goes above and
beyond to serve all students,
especially those in
crisis.”
Media Specialist of the
Year: Leslie Hicks, Knox
ES STEM Academy
You won’t hear “shhhhh”
in Knox Elementary
School STEM Academy’s
media center.
The bright and cozy
library buzzes with learning
and fun under the leadership
of media specialist
Leslie Hicks, CCSD’s 2022
Media Specialist of the
Year.
“The library is not just a
place for books; it’s a place
for learning!” Ms. Hicks
said of her mission. “Fostering
a positive environment
is not only important
to me within the media
center, but schoolwide.”
Principal Jennifer
McIntosh said Ms. Hicks
embraces the role of the
media center as the school’s
“largest classroom” and its
“heartbeat.”
“She creates an engag-
Continued on Page 36
Kati Kong, Counselor of the Year
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