From Cherokee County School District: A Cherokee County School District leader is speaking up for Special Education students and educators at the state level!

Charlette M. Green, CCSD's Executive Director of Special Education, is serving a one-year term as president of the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education. The organization, known as GCASE, is part of the International Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) and is dedicated to improving schools' services to children with special needs. The group provides its members the opportunity to study issues and solutions through discussion and publications.

"Our School District is focused on ensuring that every child receives the best education possible, and Ms. Green's role with our organization is critical to achieving that mission," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. "She is a leader in her field, and we're proud that she is representing our School District and advocating for our State's special education students and educators." In her role as President, Ms. Green leads a Board of Directors made up of representatives from 18 districts across the state and ad-hoc members from other organizations. As President, Ms. Green also represents GCASE on the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders and CASE Board of Directors.

"I believe that it is important for CCSD to have representation at the State and National levels to ensure that we remain progressive and at the forefront of meeting the needs of students with disabilities," said Ms. Green, who joined CCSD in 2008. "It is also important to share what we have found to be effective in CCSD with others, as we have and will continue to make great strides for our students with disabilities. Serving as the President of GCASE is an opportunity for me to share and learn from others to benefit our students, families, and staff in CCSD." Ms. Green, who earned her bachelor's degree in audiology and speech pathology and master's degree in speech-language pathology from Florida State University, began her career in 1999 as an elementary school speech-language pathologist. She went on to work as a special education representative and local education advisor at the school level and as an education program specialist for the Georgia Department of Education. She joined CCSD as a supervisor for Special Education and has led the department since 2009.

She is frequently published and requested as a conference presenter, and has earned numerous awards including being named a 2014 Fellow of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, 2013 Professional of the Year by the Georgia Administrators in Education Leadership and 2012 Outstanding New Special Education Administrator of the Year by GCASE.

A member of GCASE for more than 10 years, Ms. Green previously has served as its Co-Chair of Professional Learning Committee, Vice President, and President-Elect.