FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 24, 2014

The Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA) recently announced the recipient of the 2014 Bill
Barr Leadership Award at its fall Bootstrap Conference in Athens, Georgia. The Bill Barr Leadership Award is
named after Dr. Bill Barr, who served as GSSAs executive director from 1991 to 1999. It is considered a
coveted award in public education in Georgia and is given to a superintendent with exceptional skills in
mentoring colleagues and fellow leaders. This award is given to only one Georgia superintendent each
year. This year, GSSA awarded the recognition to Dr. Maggie Shook, Superintendent of Thomaston-Upson
County Schools and a member of the Griffin Regional Educational Service Agency Board of Control.
Dr. Shook has been a public school superintendent for twelve years and has made many contributions to student
success. In addition to her demanding work as school superintendent, Dr. Shook has also worked as a mentor
for the GSSA on multiple occasions. She has served as formal mentor to two new superintendents and has
informally assisted many others in their leadership development. She has assisted these new leaders in work
such as Board relations, contract renewal and negotiations, effective communications, and public relations with
community leaders. Dr. Shook also serves as a ready and consistent resource and support for Griffin RESA,
including for the RESA administrators and fellow superintendents within the region. Her commitment to
mentoring is also clearly expressed in her doctoral dissertation which addressed The Role of Mentoring in
Developing Professional and Personal Competencies for School Administrators.
Dr. Shook has been a visible and vibrant leader in her local district and community in numerous ways, including
her work as the ex officio member on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and through working with
the Unite Upson Committee to promote the community. Her work in these various areas helps to closely
connect the school district and business community in their joint work to build a stronger community. She puts
a priority on visibility at school and cultural events, and her commitment to leadership in her district is reflected
in the numerous recognitions she has earned, including certificates of appreciation from the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference, the Flint River Masonic Daylight Lodge, and other entities.
After learning of the Award, Dr. Shook stated that she is so honored to be selected to receive the Bill Barr
Leadership Award. I am where I am today because of how other leaders have supported and mentored me each
step along the way in my teaching and administrative career. The way I pay back is to pay it forward. I am so
committed to helping my peer superintendents in any way I can. I also see it as my responsibility to recognize
leadership in my district and provide support and mentoring to help each leader grow. I am so fortunate to have
such a support group in my Griffin RESA. I am truly honored to be recognized with an award in honor of Bill
Barr, a great leader.
John Zauner, the GSSA Executive Director, had this to say, Dr. Maggie Shook is an outstanding and effective
leader. Her calm and positive approach to leading is a hallmark of quality leadership. She is remarkable for
both her ability and her humility. Dr. Stephanie Gordy, Executive Director of Griffin RESA, also
congratulated Dr. Shook: "Dr. Shook is an exemplary leader who exhibits outstanding leadership on a daily
basis. I am fortunate to have the honor and privilege of working with her in Griffin RESA, and our entire
region benefits from her prowess.
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440 Tilney Avenue
Griffin, GA 30224
Phone: 770-229-3247
FAX: 770-228-7316
www.griffinresa.net
GRIFFIN REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY
Serving South Metro County School Systems since 1966
BUTTS - FAYETTE - HENRY - LAMAR NEWTON - PIKE - SPALDING - UPSON
Dr. Stephanie L. Gordy, Executive Director