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Star Staff Winners!

Please help us congratulate the 2025–2026 Paulding County School District (PCSD) Star Staff winners! Human Resources hosted a special reception Tuesday afternoon at the Board of Education to honor eight outstanding employees, surrounded by district and school leaders, colleagues, and family members. This year’s honorees represent excellence across the district: Nelson Hunter, Teacher at Herschel Jones Middle School (Champion for Children); Richard Heintz, Safety Coordinator at McGarity Elementary School (Customer Service); Tara Carter-Howard, Paraprofessional at Paulding County High School (Above & Beyond and Golden Apple winner); Leila Selby, Counselor at Crossroads Middle School (Innovation & Creativity); Kelly Tucker, PE Teacher at Sammy McClure Sr. Middle School (Making a Difference); Debra Duncan, EIP Teacher at Ragsdale Elementary School (Outstanding Leadership); Rebecca Teachout, 2nd Grade Teacher at Sam D. Panter Elementary School (Team Spirit and Collaboration); and Robin Bailey, Social Studies Teacher at Paulding County High School (Rising Star). We extend our sincere appreciation to the Paulding Education Foundation for sponsoring the Star Staff program and helping us celebrate the dedication and impact of these exceptional team members.

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A golden star logo with the text %22STAR STAFF%22 is prominently displayed in the foreground, set against a background of silhouetted human figures.
Team Spirit & Collaboration: Rebecca Teachout - Panter Elementary School 2nd Grade Teacher.
Team Spirit & Collaboration: Rebecca Teachout - Panter Elementary School 2nd Grade Teacher.
Innovation & Creativity: Leila Selby -Crossroad Middle School Counselor.
Innovation & Creativity: Leila Selby -Crossroad Middle School Counselor.
Customer Service: Richard Heintz - McGarity Elementary School Safety Coordinator.
Customer Service: Richard Heintz - McGarity Elementary School Safety Coordinator.
Making a Difference: Kelly Tucker- McClure Middle School PE Teacher.
Making a Difference: Kelly Tucker- McClure Middle School PE Teacher.
Rising Star: Robin Bailey: Paulding County High School Social Studies Teacher.
Rising Star: Robin Bailey: Paulding County High School Social Studies Teacher.
Above and Beyond/Golden Apple winner: Tara Carter-Howard - Paulding County High School Paraprofessional pictured with PCSD Chief Talent Officer DeeCarol Phinnessee.
Above and Beyond/Golden Apple winner: Tara Carter-Howard - Paulding County High School Paraprofessional pictured with PCSD Chief Talent Officer DeeCarol Phinnessee.
Champion for Children: Nelson Hunter - Herschel Jones Middle School Teacher.
Champion for Children: Nelson Hunter - Herschel Jones Middle School Teacher.
Above and Beyond/Golden Apple winner: Tara Carter-Howard - Paulding County High School Paraprofessional
Above and Beyond/Golden Apple winner: Tara Carter-Howard - Paulding County High School Paraprofessional
A smilingOutstanding Leadership: Debra Duncan - Ragsdale Elementary School EIP Teacher. woman in a pink dress stands in front of a backdrop with the words %22Inspire. Prepare. Engage.%22 and the organization's logo.
Outstanding Leadership: Debra Duncan - Ragsdale Elementary School EIP Teacher.
A group of people, including several women and a man, are standing together in front of a backdrop with the %22Star Staff%22 logo, suggesting this is a professional or organizational event.
A large group of people, both adults and children, are seated in a classroom-like setting, with colorful decorations and artwork visible in the background.
The image shows a display featuring awards and merchandise related to Tara Carter-Howard, with a large screen displaying the text %22Going Above & Beyond%22 above the display.
The image shows a classroom setting with various decorations and items, including star-shaped awards, blue tote bags, and a person standing in the background.
A group of uniformed individuals, likely law enforcement officers, are gathered in what appears to be an art gallery or exhibition space, with colorful balloon-like sculptures visible in the background.
A group of people, including men and women of diverse backgrounds, are gathered together in front of a backdrop featuring the %22Star Search%22 logo, suggesting this is a promotional or event-related image.