Fulton County School System (FCS) has announced its top educators: Jennifer Sweigart of Hillside Elementary School as 2014 Teacher of the Year, and Kindra Smith of Roswell North Elementary School as 2014 Principal of the Year.

Sweigart and Smith each were honored with a bouquet of flowers and a special recognition banner in surprise presentations at their schools. "Your impact on students will live long after they leave your classroom or your school," said Robert Avossa, FCS superintendent. "You have created a legacy you've inspired them, nurtured them, and taught them to love learning. You embody all of the ideals of an outstanding, caring educator who lives up to our school system's motto, 'Where Students Come First.'"

The Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year will serve as examples to their FCS colleagues for the next academic year. A formal recognition gala, the Legacy of Excellence, November 7 at the Georgia World Congress Center, will celebrate their accomplishments, as well as those of other Employees of The Year who were selected by their local school communities.

Before joining the Hillside Elementary faculty in 2009, Sweigart taught at New Prospect Elementary and Alpharetta Elementary schools. She has taught third and fourth grades, as well as EIP (Early Intervention Program) reading and math classes that span kindergarten through fifth grade. She also has been a Teacher of the Year finalist, a member of the Local School Advisory Council, and has represented her school at the district's Summer Summit for Teachers and Title I Boot Camp. Her experience as a teacher-leader has assisted her peers, as she also has served as a Common Core Georgia Performance Standards facilitator and a School Quality Review team member.

Sweigart said an atmosphere of creativity, respect, balance and community makes her third-grade classroom special and unique. "I value cooperation and collaboration among the students, as well as in my relationships with parents and colleagues," she said. "At the same time, I value individual achievement attained through high expectations and perseverance. I believe that teaching blesses us with the privilege of growing the next generation of leaders."

2014 Principal of the Year Kindra Smith joined the Fulton County School System in 1995 as a teacher at Crabapple Crossing Elementary School and then became an assistant principal at Northwestern Middle School. She was named Roswell North's principal in 2010. The experiences over her 19-year career have equipped her with the skills to lead a student-focused learning environment while also driving school improvement. She prides herself on helping her staff create a school culture that encourages success for all.

"The strength of our school lies within the richness of our diverse population, which mimics the world in which we live," Smith said. "We seek to create a warm, student-centered environment that engages students with high-quality instruction. Our values are built around a unified purpose of strengthening their ability to problem-solve, communicate effectively, think critically and collaborate." Smith also credits Roswell North's success to the loyal support of the community, as well as a high-quality teaching and support staff. "Students come to school with various abilities, unique skills, experiences, and backgrounds. This calls for us to provide a quality support and enrichment program that is designed to maximize learning opportunities for students across the learning continuum. Our mantra is, 'If we can dream it, we can do it!' as long as it enhances the learning and experiences for all."