Baldwin County Superintendent Dr. Noris Price has been nominated for the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) 2024 Hidden Heroes campaign, a crowdsourced campaign that highlights educators making a difference in their communities in Georgia.
GLSI Executive Director and CEO Leslie Hazle Bussey started the campaign in 2020, inspired by how individuals in the “education enterprise” were going above and beyond to make a difference during the pandemic.
“We realized because we have the opportunity to stay in contact with our district leaders that all of this energy and work was taking place during the pandemic, but most communities did not know about it,” said Bussey. “So, we created a platform to illuminate those stories so communities could not only see the work of educators at school but what is happening beyond daily instruction.”
According to Bussey, many actions likely went unnoticed due to the isolation, anxiety, and unknown knowledge surrounding the pandemic. Many communities were “feeling discouraged” and Bussey stated that in October 2020, when the campaign was started, it was the “peak” of these emotions.
“The simple invitation to practice gratitude to these educators, not just teachers but bus drivers, teachers and administrators, nutritionists, and more, would offer a mental health break to the community and some positivity,” said Bussey.
“So, Hidden Heroes is also about cultivating gratitude and improving general positivity around the state.”
GLSI works with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and local chambers to get information out about Hidden Heroes and offer the ability for anyone in the community to nominate an educator. This year, there are 130 nominees.
Three of the top-voted nominees from each of three regions will be recognized as Hidden Heroes.
If Price is to be voted a Hidden Hero, she and the eight other nominees would be honored at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues program, the largest statewide gathering for education legislators.
“It would be a time to be able to lift up educators and their contributions in front of some of the most influential decision makers, business owners, and community leaders,” said Bussey. “In addition to that, each nominee receives a cash prize sponsored by Georgia Power, Parker Co., and Kennesaw State University’s Bagwell College of Education.”
Voting for these nominations is ongoing until Nov.
22 at 5 p.m. and winners will be announced on Dec. 3. Anyone can vote once a day for their selected nominee until the end of voting. To vote, visit hiddenheroes.glisi. org/2024/gallery.
“We admire Dr. Price.
Her leadership has been honored many times.
We are excited she has been nominated and we hope anyone who has the chance to vote will do so,” said Bussey.