Baldwin County School District’s (BCSD) Executive Assistant Gina Whitaker was recently awarded the Georgia Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award by Governor Brian Kemp.
According to the Georgia Department of Education, the RISE Award honors full- or part-time classified school employees who provide exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school. The 2023 winners were Gina Whitaker of the Baldwin County School District and Bruce Ballard of the Griffin-Spalding County School System.
“I was honored to receive such an award from the governor and the state superintendent who selected me,” said Whitaker. “I was equally honored that Superintendent Dr. Noris Price nominated me, and the Board of Education supported that nomination, along with members of our leadership team who wrote letters of recommendation. I am humbled that I have the opportunity to work alongside the great educational leaders in this district and to be recognized at the state level.”
Whitaker has worked in the district for seven years in the role of executive assistant. Her duties are directly tied to supporting the superintendent, the board of education, and school leaders. Beyond that, she has also involved herself with Partners In-Education, acts as a partner for the Farm for School program, is a mentor in Price’s mentorship program, is a Relay for Life captain, and much more.
“There are so many things that we do here that I am front and center for,” said Whitaker. “My role is to support the school and our educational leaders, so I often head a lot of events. These are events that really matter and impact our students and that’s what matters most to me.”
With over 20 years of experience in the educational field, Whitaker has served in various roles from teaching to working with the Georgia School Boards Association, a training board that impacts local governance and provides comprehensive support to school boards and districts across the state.
“My mom and dad prepared me for many things in life, and their words of wisdom to work hard, serve others well, and always do your best surely made a difference in my life. Having great visionary leaders and mentors has also impacted my journey,” said Whitaker, reflecting on her educational career.
Whitaker expressed how Price and many other individuals have been mentors for her. And, through her work in the district, she has been able to become a mentor for two seniors at the high school level and for many students that she has recognized for their achievements. Whitaker emphasized that helping others on their path to success brings her the most joy in her job.
“The most exciting part of my job is recognizing our students. It’s about seeing others be successful and that has always been my drive,” said Whitaker.
“It’s about the work we do for student achievement and to help our employees be successful. We model Baldwin's mission and vision and the 'one team, one mission' concept.”
Whitaker’s passion and dedication to BCSD are not only recognized in the way she speaks but also by her co-workers who nominated or approved her for this role.
In documentation submitted to The Baldwin Bulletin by Price it states, “From the moment she began at Baldwin, her mission has always been focused on streamlining processes and establishing procedures for flawless district operations at a top-tier executive level … Whitaker’s versatility shines as she takes on tasks of all sizes with equal dedication.
“Whitaker’s standout qualities include adaptability in unfamiliar situations, strong interpersonal skills fostering community and staff relationships, and exceptional organizational prowess while managing multiple tasks."
Whitaker has built a house in Baldwin County and plans to stay with the district for many years to come. In addition, she plans to begin mentoring at the elementary school level next school year through the mentorship program alongside continuing to provide support to the entire district.
“As we celebrate this achievement, it's clear that Gina Whitaker's commitment to educational excellence has left an indelible mark on the Baldwin County School District,” wrote Eric Jones, BCSD School & Community Relations Coordinator, on The Baldwin Beat.