Early Childhood and Care Education Student Recognized for Academic Excellence

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Gwinnett Technical College is proud to announce Natalee Summers, an Early Childhood Care and Education student, as the College’s 2026 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner. Summers will represent Gwinnett Tech as she advances to regional and statewide GOAL competitions.

Summers said the moment she was named the 2026 GOAL winner was overwhelming and deeply meaningful.

“Being named Gwinnett Tech’s GOAL winner is insane to me. I actually cried when I was announced the winner,” Summers shared. “The other nominees were amazing, and I know it wasn’t an easy decision for the judges. I’m so grateful I was chosen, and I cannot wait to make GTC proud.”

A resident of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Summers has strong ties to the Gwinnett County community. Born in Illinois and raised in Georgia from age seven, she lives with her parents, grandfather, and their family pets. She credits her family, her church, and her community for supporting her throughout her educational journey.

In addition to her academic program, Summers serves as a Gwinnett Tech Student Ambassador and previously held an officer position in the Student Government Association. She played a key role in inspiring the college’s pajama drive benefiting children in foster care, which collected more than 500 pairs of pajamas for families in need. Last year, Summers was recognized with the Spirit of GTC Award for her dedication, involvement, and positive impact on the campus community. When she’s not studying, she works as a swim instructor and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Summers’ path to Gwinnett Tech began with financial concerns that made attending a four-year university feel out of reach. She initially enrolled in Radiologic Technology because it seemed practical and financially stable, but ultimately chose to pursue her true passion: working with young children.

“Eventually, I couldn’t bear pushing aside what I genuinely wanted to do just to make more money.”

Switching to Early Childhood Care and Education reaffirmed her purpose. “I’m so grateful I switched majors. Gwinnett Tech made applying easy, made tuition affordable, and made it easy to change my program when I realized where I truly belonged.”

Summers shared her story with the GOAL judges, believing her experiences were “silly” or unimportant. Instead, she discovered the power of her own voice. “Going through the GOAL competition showed me my words have meaning. My story is worth telling. Anyone with a story should tell it, because it could help someone who needs it.”

After graduating, Summers hopes to work as a paraprofessional in Gwinnett County Public Schools or in a pre-K classroom. She also plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in the future.

She encourages all Gwinnett Tech students to embrace the full college experience. “Get involved. I know people want to get their degree and leave; I get it. But there are so many opportunities to make friends, volunteer, and build something meaningful. Gwinnett Tech is more than just a college; it’s a community.”