School Social Workers Association of Georgia
.jpg)
Vice- President
Cory S. Lowe is an LMSW working towards his LCSW and is currently serving as the SSWAG District 7 President. Cory attended Dalton State College to earn his BSW and went on to earn his MSW from Campbellsville University. He currently works for the Walker County Board of Education as a School Social Worker and serves as the Co-Chair for his local LIPT.
District 1 President
Ashley Johnson
Ashley Johnson, LMSW, serves as the District 1 SSWAG president. With eight years of unwavering commitment to the field, she is a seasoned school social worker who fosters positive change within her community. Ashley earned her Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Savannah State University and furthered her education by obtaining a Master's in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Currently, Ashley works as a school social worker in District 1 for Bryan County Schools.
District 2 President
Tia Williams
Tia Williams is currently employed with the Decatur County Board of Education as a District School Social Worker where she has served for the past 8 years. She attended The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University for both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Social Work. Tia has been working in the field of Social Work since 2009 in various areas such as Family Preservation, Foster Care, Adoptions, Master Level Counseling, Home Health, Inpatient Mental Health, and her current role as a School Social Worker. In Social Work, Tia loves to see when a family/client is able to obtain and reach their goals that they work so hard for. Tia also enjoys networking and mentoring other Social Workers who are new and on a learning path in Social Work. Tia is a devoted wife to her husband of 13 years and mother of two girls. She is currently serving as the District 2 President for SSWAG.
District 3 President
Jewel Boles-Simmons
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
Cara Creger
Cara Creger earned her Bachelor’s degree in human services from Kennesaw State University, her Masters of Social Work from University of Georgia, and her Doctorate of Social Work from University of Alabama. Cara’s experience in the field of social work has spanned 15 years in the areas of human trafficking, foster care, and she currently serves as a School Social Worker for Marietta City Schools.
District 6 President
Maria Josey
District 7 President
Clemencia Ixcoy
District 8 President
Hailey Rojas
Hailey Rojas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is currently serving as District 8 President. 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 19 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.
District 9 President
Jennifer Newkirk
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
.png)
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.
Historian
A. Thomas
Dr. Thomas is a Certified School Social Worker and is currently serving as SSWAG’s Historian. She completed her undergraduate studies in Social Work (SW) at Tuskegee University then earned her Master of Science in SW from Columbia University in New York City. Continuing in her studies, she went on to receive both a Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) from The University of West Georgia in Carrolton, GA, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. She is currently working in District 4 for Atlanta Public Schools.
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.
.jpg)
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.
.jpg)
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.
.jpeg)
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.
Legislative Interagency 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
Jacqueline Brown-Pickney
Dr. Jackie Brown-Pinkney currently holds the position of Past President within SSWAG. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Georgia Southern University, earning a bachelor's degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Social Work. Subsequently, she attained her MSW from Savannah State University and her Ed.D. from Georgia Southern University. Dr. Brown-Pinkney is employed by the Effingham County Board of Education, serving as the Assistant Coordinator for Social and Emotional Learning and Lead School Social Worker within District 1.
.jpg)
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
Dr. Sidrah Khan is a Certified School Social Worker and has over 10 years of experience in the field of social work. Dr. 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.