We may be biased, but our districts are the best!

 At the event, the 2026 Parent Mentor Kick-Off state meeting, held at Middle Georgia State University on Wednesday, October 28th and Thursday, October 29, 2026, the Heart of Georgia Regional Parent Mentors and Directors were honored for their dedication and leadership. Their commitment to training other mentors included: workshops offering hands-on training sessions focused on effective mentoring techniques and strategies for working with families and students to ensure postsecondary success and successful transition; how parent mentors and special education can work together to improve student and family outcomes; and building effective transition alliances. The event also focused on resource sharing to provide access to valuable materials and tools that enhance the mentoring process. -

 Networking with other parent mentors and special education directors helped mentors from various regions connect, promoting collaboration and shared learning. This event not only celebrated the parent mentor achievements but also emphasized the importance of Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership in creating a supportive educational environment for all students. The Heart of Georgia Region was well represented, with mentors, students, and directors receiving awards and recognition for their outstanding leadership in improving student outcomes by building effective family engagement and family partnerships.

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Phil Pickens Leadership Award Recipient

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Our very own Dr. Cindy Felkins, Bleckley County Special Education Director, received the 2026 Phil Pickens Leadership Award at the annual Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership Kickoff meeting! Bleckley County's amazing Parent Mentor, Shonna Conyer, was also nominated for the 2026 Phil Pickens Parent Mentor recognition. We are so thankful for our district administration's dedication! Congratulations, Cindy!

*Below is the Parent Mentor News Release

Bleckley County Special Education Director Dr. Cindy Felkins was named the winner of the 2026 Phil Pickens Award at the annual Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership Annual Kickoff meeting on October 29, 2026, at the Robert F. Hatcher Conference Center of Middle Georgia University in Macon, Ga. 

Bleckley County Parent Mentor Shonna Conyer was also nominated for the 2026 Phil Pickens Parent Mentor recognition.

It is rare for both a parent mentor and a director to be nominated in the same year.

Each year, the award names a special education director and a parent mentor as Phil Pickens Award recipients. This award is named after the late Phil Pickens, who founded the partnership. The Phil Pickens Award recognizes outstanding leadership, collaboration between home, school, and community, and significant contributions to special education and family engagement. 

Dr. Felkins was selected for this award for nearly three decades of work in Special Education. During that time, she has profoundly impacted students, educators, and families in Bleckley County Schools through her leadership as Director of Student Support Services and Federal Programs. A dedicated special education leader, she has built a unified, student-centered support system that integrates special education, MTSS, 504, and mental health programs, ensuring equitable access and improved outcomes for all students. Her commitment to family engagement is evident through her strong support of the Parent Mentor Program, which has expanded opportunities for transition services, community-based instruction, and meaningful parent involvement. Dr. Felkins leads with integrity, compassion, and vision, fostering collaboration among staff, empowering educators, and creating a culture that supports and values students and families. Her work continues to strengthen systems, inspire others, and make a lasting difference in her district.

This year's award stands out because it is the 25th anniversary of the Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership. 

Dr. Cindy Felkins with Heart of Georgia Special Education Directors and Parent Mentors

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Heart of Georgia ASPIRE Ambassadors

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We also want to recognize Telfair County's ASPIRE Ambassadors, Peyton Barber and Aleeia Spires, and their teacher, Dr. Cheryl Colber! They took on the challenge of representing the student population at the Student Panel at the Parent Mentor Kickoff Conference by sharing their experiences as ASPIRE Ambassadors. ASPIRE Ambassadors are students with disabilities who build leadership and self-advocacy skills while encouraging others to take an active role in their education and future. By sharing their experiences, strengths, and goals, these students show the importance of including student voice in educational planning and decision-making. At the Parent Mentor Kickoff Event, ASPIRE Ambassadors Peyton Barber and Aleeia Spires, along with Ivan Tilman, Anthony Dobes, Zitoriun Lampkin, and Abby Poole, who participated through video recordings, brought this message to life through a student voice panel, sharing personal perspectives that reminded families and educators of the power of listening to students, supporting their choices, and creating opportunities for them to lead. They spoke about the importance of having a say in their education and transition planning. They did a phenomenal job sharing their perspectives with parents and educators alike!

We were excited for Telfair's ASPIRE Ambassadors, Peyton Barber and Aleeia Spires, to participate in the FY 27 Parent Mentor Kickoff Conference Student Panel!

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Scott Crain Rookie of the Year Award

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Stacey Sanders, Laurens County Special Education Director, with Ashley Edwards, Laurens County Parent Mentor

Congratulations to Ashley Edwards, Laurens County Parent Mentor, on receiving the Scott Crain Rookie of the Year Award at the Parent Mentor Kickoff Event! This honor recognizes outstanding leadership by an emerging parent mentor within the Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership. Ashley's recognition highlights the valuable role parent mentors play in connecting families and schools, supporting families of students with

disabilities, and strengthening partnerships that promote student success. East Central GLRS is proud to celebrate Ashley and this exciting accomplishment!