For many families arriving in Gwinnett County, the school district can feel like a maze with no map. Lynnette Aponte has spent her career building the map.
Aponte, director of the Gwinnett County Public Schools International Newcomer Center, was named Monday one of the “50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia” by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce — an annual honor recognizing Hispanic leaders, innovators, and advocates whose work drives economic growth, fosters community connection, and leaves a lasting social impact across the state. Honorees are selected through a competitive nomination and review process that evaluates leadership, professional excellence, and community service.
The International Newcomer Center functions as a first stop for newly arrived immigrant and multilingual students and their families. It provides language assessments, orientation resources, and family support services, helping non-English-speaking families find their footing in an unfamiliar educational system…