On July 16, 2026, Valdosta City Schools proudly celebrated the accomplishments of GLISI Base Camp & Leadership Summit Cohort 72, proudly known as Team Believers.
Over the past year, these dedicated school and district leaders strengthened their leadership through the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI), building expertise in continuous improvement, systems thinking, collaborative leadership, and creating cultures where both educators and students can thrive.
The cohort's work centered on creating a culture of psychological safety—an environment where people feel safe to share ideas, ask questions, challenge thinking, and learn together. Their Problem of Practice emphasized strengthening Instructional Awareness Walkthroughs and providing meaningful, actionable feedback to teachers. This work has become the foundation for our district's participation in the Georgia LEADS initiative as we continue advancing instructional excellence across Valdosta City Schools.
Congratulations to our Cohort 72 graduates:
Jacquline McCaskey
Swandolyn Bryant
Gary Moore
Will Lewis
Tameka Stewart
Gregory Vaughn
Chelsea McKnight
Cathy Nobles
Oscar Lee
Cedric Roberts
Alicia Clemons
Roberto Carrillo
Jamaal Hunter
Warnick Lewis
Torrence Williams
Michael Rewis
Charity Kinneer
Alex Robinson
Tangela Kimber
Kendal Crawford
We also welcomed GLISI Cohort 74, who will continue this important leadership journey.
A special thank you to Dr. Terrie Lockhart, Director of School Improvement, for serving as the district liaison for our GLISI team. Her leadership, guidance, and unwavering support were instrumental in the success of Cohort 72.
Congratulations, Team Believers! Thank you for believing in one another, believing in this work, and believing in the potential of every Wildcat.