Angela Pirkle received the Georgia Department of Education student centered “Golden Key Award” at the Trade and Industrial Educators of Georgia (TIEGA) Conference being held in Columbus.  Ms. Pirkle has served as the Graphic Arts instructor at West Hall, her alma mater, for twenty-seven years. She also currently serves as President of the TIEGA Association.

In receiving the award, it was specially noted that she leads with heart, building genuine, trusting relationships with her students that make them feel seen, valued, and capable of success.  She creates a classroom environment grounded in kindness, respect, and encouragement, where students are comfortable taking creative risks and growing both personally and professionally.  Her leadership style is quiet yet powerful; she listens first, supports consistently, and models empathy, professionalism, and integrity in every interaction. She believes deeply in her students’ potential and goes above and beyond to mentor, guide, and advocate for them, often becoming a steady source of support during pivotal moments in their lives.  Through her compassion and example, Ms. Pirkle inspires confidence, resilience, and leadership in her students, leaving a lasting impact that extends far beyond the Graphic Arts classroom.

Hall County Schools is extremely proud of Ms. Pirkle for receiving this honor.