Hillary Knight, Graphic Arts Technology instructor at Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy, was honored with several state awards at the (GACTE) Georgia Association of Career and Technical Education awards banquet in July. Knight won the (TIEGA) Trade and Industrial Educators of Georgia "Teacher of the Year Award", and she won the GACTE "New Teacher of the Year Award" for the state. Mrs. Knight also received the GACTE "Teacher of the Year" in the Architecture, Transportation and Communication Division.

Hillari Knight is a relatively new teacher but she has made an impact at the new Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy.  Bo Bragg, principal of the College & Career Academy said, “Hillari Knight has worked very hard to improve the quality of her program and I really appreciate her efforts. These awards are very deserving and Mrs. Knight is a tremendous asset to our school.”

Under Hillari Knights direction, the Graphic Arts program at the new Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy earned PrintED accreditation earlier this year.  PrintED is a national accreditation and certification program administered by the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF®).  Accreditation is based on industry standards for graphic communications courses of study at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

The Graphic Arts program at the College & Career Academy was certified in five standards.  Those standards include: Introduction to Graphic Communications, Digital File Preparation, Offset Press Operations, Digital File Output, and Binding and Finishing. The requirements to meet accreditation are aligned with industry standards in the print industry. Adhering to these standards will help prepare students to function at a high level in the work environment or prepare them to further their education in Graphic Communications. As a result of the program’s certification, each student in the program will be eligible to take an on-line certification test to attain individual certification in Graphic Communications, Press Operations and Digital File Preparation.  Students earning certification will be able to begin their career with a competitive advantage.