Good Equity Troublemakers

There are many people in the City Schools of Decatur who go the extra mile to get in the way of systemic racism and help us pay our debt to students of color. 


The CSD Good Equity Troublemaker Award is a way to honor those among us who get in "good trouble" - people who embody the charge John Lewis left us to, "Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and redeem the soul of America."


This award is given to an administrator, staff member, faculty member, or group who helps to redeem the soul of CSD by . . .


We are so proud of their work! We are even more proud to have the privilege of honoring them here with you. See below for our winners!!

Good Equity Troublemaker of the Year 2022-23

MS. NAILAH CARTY

Ms. Carty is a phenom and a phenomenal educator who is the Instructional Coach at Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary. She advocates for, builds for, and coaches for equity in the truest sense. She enters spaces with probing and challenging questions that lead to deeper discussions around equity. She is what one might call a ratchetdemic educator – she is authentically and fully herself, rooted in her Jamaican culture and identity, and absolutely determined to teach truth. 

DHS Troublemakers

Dr. Lena Hamilton and Amy Judon,

Math and Reading Intervention Teachers

BHMS Troublemaker

Vivian Dawson

oakhurst ele. Troublemaker

Charles Dawson, Paraprofessional

Talley Street Troublemaker

The Diversity Activities Committee

Vivian Carter-Cain, Amy Radford, Colleen Dunbar, Shannon Brewton, Daphne Langley, Juliana Souki, Tagie Tate-Perez, Erin Williams, Ethel Johnson, Tanya Jessup, Maggie Defillipo, and Jatoria Brown.

Clairemont Elementary Troublemaker

The Clairemont Equity Team

Principal Dr. Armour, Assistant Principal Mr. Gusta, Nurse Cox, Jasmine Adams, Lori Bigham, Katie Green, Corinne Jolley, Sonja Lewis, Jillian Fowler, Tyler Mangascle, and Stacey Foster

Westchester Elementary Troublemaker

Jamie Montgomery, 1st Grade Teacher

College Heights ECLC Troublemaker

Briana Bower, Teacher

Glenwood Elementary Troublemaker

Jill Tolsma 

instructional Coach, Equity Team Lead

Wilson center Troublemaker

mari ann banks

Equity Director

Winona Park Elementary Troublemaker

Kelly Stopp, Equity Team Lead and Instructional Coach

previous Good Equity TroublemakerS of the Year (District-Wide)

2022-23 Ms. Nailah Carty

2021-22 Ms. Karen Newton, Nurse Chanell Huff-Cox, and Ms. Candace Jones-Boynton

Good Equity TroublemakerS of the Year 

(School-based)

2022-23

DHS - The Team of Dr. Lena Hamilton and Ms. Amy Judon

BHMS - Ms. Vivian Dawson

FAVE - Ms. Nailah Carty

Talley St. - The Diversity Activities Committee

(includes Vivian Carter-Cain, Amy Radford, Colleen Dunbar, Shannon Brewton, Daphne Langley, Juliana Souki, Tagie Tate-Perez, Erin Williams, Ethel Johnson, Tanya Jessup, Maggie Defillipo, and Jatoria Brown.)

Clairemont - The Clairemont Equity Team

(Includes Principal Dr. Armour, Assistant Principal Mr. Gusta, Nurse Cox, Jasmine Adams, Lori Bigham, Katie Green, Corinne Jolley, Sonja Lewis, Jillian Fowler, Tyler Mangascle, and Stacey Foster)

Glennwood - Mrs. Jill Tolsma, Instructional Coach

Oakhurst - Mr. Charles Dawson, Paraprofessional

Westchester - Ms. Jamie Montgomery

Winona Park - Ms. Kelly Stopp

College Heights - Ms. Briana Bower

Elizabeth Wilson Center - dr. mari ann banks


2021-22

DHS - Ms. Cassandra Black

RMS - Ms. Alexis Ora Ladorn Glen 

FAVE - Ms. Karen Newton Scott    FAVE II - Ms. Charee Waugh

Talley St. - The Team of Ms. Michelle Block & Ms. Jatoria Brown

Clairemont - Nurse Chanell Huff-Cox

Glennwood - Mrs. Amelia Copp

Oakhurst - The Lower Elementary PTA DEI Committee (hon. mention)

Westchester - Ms. T. Sala Pickney

Winnona Park - no nominee

College Heights - Candace Jones-Boynton

Elizabeth Wilson Center - Dr. Lillie Huddleston