Melanie Watson, social worker for Floyd County Schools, has been named District Social Worker of the Year for northwest Georgia.  The honor was announced recently by the School Social Workers Association of Georgia.  The northwest region includes 14 school districts: Catoosa County Schools, Dade County Schools, Murray County Schools, Whitfield County Schools, Dalton City Schools, Walker County Schools, Chattooga County Schools, Gordon County Schools, Calhoun City Schools, Polk County Schools, Cartersville City School, Bartow County Schools, Rome City Schools and Floyd County Schools.

Watson was selected for her involvement in the School Social Workers Association, her leadership at the school system level and her advocacy for children.  Watson is a tireless local advocate for homeless children.  She helped to coordinate a local yard sale over the last two years to benefit children in need at the Floyd County Board of Education office.  The proceeds of the yard sale benefit the Floyd County Schools Children in Need Fund.  The yard sale has earned over $3,200 in the last two years.  Watson is currently serving the Social Worker Association as president of the Northwest Region for SSWAG. 

Watson will now be eligible for the Georgia Social Worker of the Year.  The state winner will be announced in March during the School Social Workers Association’s Spring Conference, to be held March 25-28, 2008 on St. Simons Island.