School Social Workers Association of Georgia
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Vice- President
Crystal Wright
Crystal Wright is currently serving as the SSWAG Vice President . She attended Paine College to earn her Bachelor degree in Sociology, went to earn her MSW from Norfolk State University with a clinical concentration, and earned her Ed.S. from Kennesaw in Curriculum and Instruction. She is currently in District 6 with the Bibb County Board of Education as a certified School Social Worker and has worked in the field for 17 years with experiences in extensive mental health services, juvenile justice systems, and child and adolescence services. Crystal has served as District 6 President and Vice President. Crystal resides with her husband and two handsome sons, ages 17 and 13.
District 2 President
Tia Williams
Tia Williams is currently serving as the SSWAG District 2 President. She attended The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University for both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Social Work. She is currently working in District 2 for the Decatur County Board of Education as a School Social Worker.
District 4 President
Shayla Snipes
Shayla Snipes is a LCSW and is currently serving as the SSWAG District 4 President. She attended Auburn University to earn her bachelor's degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Social Work and went on to earn her MSW from The University of Alabama. She is currently a Clark Atlanta University School of Social Work PhD candidate. Ms. Snipes is currently working in District 4 for Atlanta Public Schools as a School Social Worker and as Cluster Lead for the Therrell Cluster.
District 5 President
Alaiya Henderson-Shotwell
Alaiya Henderson-Shotwell is a LMSW and is currently serving as the SSWAG District 5 President. She attended Kennesaw State University to earn her bachelor's degree in psychology and went on to earn her MSW from Capella University. She spent many years working with the homeless population in Cobb County, is currently the Cobb LIPT Co-Chair, and is working in District 5 for the Cobb County School District as a School Social Worker.
District 6 President
Maria Josey
District 7 President
Cecilla Hebard
District 8 President
Teri Henderx
Teri Hendrix is serving as the District 8 SSWAG President. She attended Valdosta State University to earn her bachelor's degree in psychology and her Master's Degree in Social Work. She continued her education at Georgia Southern University earning a Education Specialist Degree in Counselor Education. Teri is currently employed with the Brantley County Board of Education as their Student Services Coordinator.
District 9 President
Ashley McDuffie
Ashley McDuffie is serving as the District President for SSWAG District 9 for 2023-2024. Ashley is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who has received both her bachelor’s and masters in social work from The University of Georgia. She is a Lead Social Worker for Gainesville City Schools and primarily serves at Gainesville High School.
District 10 President
Monica Payton
Monica Payton is currently serving as the SSWAG 10th District President. She attended Paine College to earn her bachelor's degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Psychology. She earned her M. ED from Troy State University and her MSW from Valdosta State University. She is currently working in District 10 for the Burke County Board of Education as a School Social Worker, Homeless and Foster Care Liaison.
Awards Chair
Rasha Portis
GAE Legislative Liaison
Hailey Rojas
Hailey Rojas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is currently serving as SSWAG Legislative Liaison for the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE). Ms. Rojas received a master's degree from Georgia State University in Special Education as well as a master's degree in Social Work from Valdosta State University. She has over 18 years of combined experience in education and social work and is currently employed by Glynn County Schools in District 8 as a School Social Worker.
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Georgia DOE Liaison
Lindsay Oliver
Dr. Lindsey Oliver is the appointed GaDOE Liaison to the SSWAG Exec Board. She became the School Social Work Specialist at the Georgia Department of Education in 2021. She has been a school social worker in Georgia for 11 years. She attended the University of North Georgia for her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, University of Georgia for her MSW, and University of Southern California for her DSW.
Journal/Research Committee Chair
Cynthia Simmons Turner
Dr. Cynthia Simmons Turner is currently serving as the Journal/Research Committee Chair. She attended Florida A & M University to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Welfare with minors in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She received her Masters of Social Work Degree from Florida State University with a Clinical Social Work Concentration. Her Education Specialist was obtained from Kennesaw State University in Teacher Leadership for Learning with a Concentration in Inclusive Education. She received her Ph.D. in Social Work Policy Planning & Administration from the Whitney M. Young Jr. School of Social Work Clark Atlanta University, She is currently working in District 4 for the Dekalb County School District as a School Social Worker.
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Legislative Chair
Trenese Johnson
Trenese Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Independent Contractor residing and working in the Metropolitan Atlanta area specializing in mental health, school social work, mobile crisis, children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as clinical supervision. Ms. Johnson has 27 years of professional experience in the field and is passionate about promoting social work through advocacy, empowerment transformation and social justice initiatives and currently serves as the Lead School Social Worker for Clayton County Public Schools. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Leadership Certificate (L-5) in Education.
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Long Range Planning Co-Chair
Heather Anderson
Heather Anderson is a LCSW and is currently serving as the SSWAG long range co-planner. She attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC to earn her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Spanish. She obtained her MSW degree from the University of Georgia. She is currently working on a specialist degree in Play Therapy through Ole Miss. Heather works in District 5 for the Cobb County School District where she has been employed as School Social Worker since 1999.
Long Range Planning Co-Chair
Petrina Fowler
Petrina Fowler is a Certified School Social Worker and has worked in the field of social work for over 28 years. She currently serves in the Cobb County School System and is an adjunct professor at Kennesaw State University. Petrina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Norfolk State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Petrina also pursued a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University. She is a member of the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and the School Social Workers Association of Georgia (SSWAG). Petrina lives in Marietta, with her husband of 24 years, Tim Fowler, and their two beautiful children, ages 18 and 14..
Membership Chair
Erin Woodcock
Erin Woodcock she is a LMSW and is currently serving as the SSWAG Membership Chair. She attended Armstrong Atlantic State University to earn her bachelor's degree in Health Science and went on to earn her MSW from Valdosta State University. She is currently working in District 1 for the Effingham County Board of Education as a School Social Worker and Foster Care Point of Contact.
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Mentor Chair
Gwenetta Sullivan-Echols
Gwenetta Sullivan -Echols is an experienced Social Worker having worked in child welfare, mental health and school setting. Mrs. Sullivan-Echols currently serves as SSWAG Mentor Chair. She also serves on GaDoe McKinney Vento Advisory Council. Mrs Sullivan-Echols matriculated her social work degrees from Alabama State University and Clark Atlanta University. She is a School Social Worker in MUSCOGEE County School District.
NASW Liaison
Pamela Jemerson
Pamela Jemerson is an LCSW and is currently serving as the SSWAG NASW Liaison. She attended Western Illinois University to earn her bachelor's degree in Sociology and went on to earn her MSW from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently working in District 9 for the Gwinnett County Board of Education as a School Social Worker II.
Parliamentarian
Lisa Clarke-Hill
Dr. Lisa Clarke Hill is currently serving as SSWAG Parliamentarian. She attended Albany State University and earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree, and went on to attend Ohio State University to earn her Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in Clinical and School Social Work and finally she earned her Doctorate of Social Work degree from Capella University. She is currently working in District 2 for the Colquitt County Board of Education as a High School Social Worker
Past President
Katina Cooper
Dr. Katina Cooper is currently serving as the SSWAG Past President. She attended Valdosta State University to earn her bachelor's degree in Sociology and later went on to earn her MSW from Valdosta State University and DSW from Capella University. She is currently working in District 2 for the Grady County Board of Education as the Director of Social Services, Homeless Liaison, Foster Care Point of Contact, and Title IX Coordinator.
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Procedural Guidelines
Alicia McClung
Alicia McClung, MSW is serving SSWAG as the Procedural Guidelines Chair f0r SSWAG. She attended Indiana University where she obtained her BSW and MSW degrees. Alicia is currently working in District 4 for Fulton County Schools as a School Social Worker serving a high school.
Professional Development Chair
Penny Maggioni
Penny Maggioni is an LMSW currently serving as Professional Development Chair. She attended the University of Georgia where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology as well as her Master's Degree in Social Work. She was a participant in the inaguaral SSWAG LEAD program. She currently serves as a school social worker in the Savannah-Chatham County School District
Public Relations Chair
Amber Wade
Amber Wade is an LCSW and is currently serving as the Public Relations Chair for SSWAG. She attended Thee Clark Atlanta University and earned both her bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's degree in Social Work, with a concentration on child and family and school social work. She is currently working in District 4 for the Clayton County School System as a School Social Worker and Coordinator for the district's crisis team.
Secretary
Sidrah Khan
Sidrah Khan is a Certified School Social Worker and has over 10 years of experience in the field of social work. Ms. Khan currently serves the Henry County Board of Education as a School Social Worker. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Georgia State University and her Master of Social Work degree from Kennesaw State University. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Social Work through the University of Kentucky, focused on Administration and Leadership. Ms. Khan is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and School Social Workers Association of Georgia (SSWAG), and serves SSWAG in the capacity of the Secretary.
Treasurer
Bianca Booker
Dr. Bianca Booker is an LCSW and is currently serving as SSWAG’s Treasurer. She attended the University of Georgia to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She went on to earn her Specialist Degree in Education/Curriculum & Instruction from Nova Southeastern University and her Doctor of Education/Counseling Psychology from Argosy Sarasota University. She is currently working in District 8 for the Camden County Board of Education as a School Social Worker.
Webmaster
Jarod Anderson
Jarod A. Anderson is an MSW and is currently serving as SSWAG’s Webmaster. He attended the University of South Carolina to earn his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his Master’s Degree in Social Work. He is currently working in District 9 for the Gwinnett County Public School System as a School Social Worker.