Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) has named Renee Lake the 2025 GCPS School Social Worker of the Year (SSWOTY). The award honors an individual who exemplifies the highest level of service and professionalism to their school community.

      Lake, assigned to the Peachtree Ridge Cluster, has worked in GCPS for three years and says her success has been built on trust. “Building strong, trusting relationships has been the foundation of my career as a social worker,” Lake shares. “My vision is rooted in the core values of social work: providing compassionate, culturally competent support to students, families, and communities. I believe in honoring the diversity of each school by actively listening to and understanding the unique challenges each individual faces. By fostering open and transparent communication, students and families are empowered to be agents of their own change.”

     Lake has contributed to her learning community by taking the initiative to develop a CARE closet, a pantry that provides donated items to families in need. This dedicated space provides students access to personal hygiene products, snacks, clothing, school supplies, etc. Lake says after witnessing a need for food and hygiene products among families, she started to request donations. She worked closely with community partners and school administration to help families find alternative resources and have a consistently replenished supply of resources at their disposal through the CARE Closet Committee.

     “Ms. Lake is a highly engaged and effective social worker who is always striving to support our students and their families in any way she can,” says Burnette Elementary School Principal Dr. Sally Lehmann. “[Renee] collaborates with our administration and counseling team on a regular basis and has established a deep connection with our staff and community. She is truly a member of the Burnette family. In summary, Renee Lake embodies the qualities of an outstanding social worker: compassion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of positive change.”

    Lake decided to extend her compassion on September 4, 2024, after the deadly school shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. Lake describes it as one of the most impactful experiences of her career. “Supporting a community in crisis reinforced the urgency and importance of trauma-informed care. Training sessions led by national experts deepened my crisis response skills, allowing me to apply critical knowledge immediately with students and staff in Barrow County and later in Gwinnett County.”

      The SSWOTY selection process starts in January with a hand-picked group of SSWOTY committee members. Candidates can be nominated by colleagues at any GCPS school. The committee then reviews the nominations to identify five finalists through a blind evaluation process. Candidates must have worked with GCPS as School Social Workers for at least two years. The five finalists complete an additional application for review and selection, and the winner is announced at the School Social Worker of the Year award celebration.