Amidst Coronavirus planning, talk of school closings and every other daunting task that comes with public education, teachers, faculty, and staff of the Habersham County School district gathered to share a meal and celebrate the achievements of their fellow educators.
31 teachers and support persons were recognized at the event and given gift baskets by the event’s sponsors to thank them for their hard work. The night was filled with heartwarming stories, student quotes, and even some tears.
The Habersham County School System named Fairview Elementary School fifth grade teacher Ansley Green as this year’s Teacher of the Year. Green has been teaching for 11 years, and Fairview Elementary principal Jennifer Chitwood recalls Green’s commitment to educating and loving the students of FES. “She makes a special effort to ensure that our students feel a vital part of the classroom and community,” Chitwood said. Green was chosen for the honor from among 14 local educators who were recognized as teachers of the year by their respective schools.
South Habersham Middle School nurse Christy Blakely was named the school system’s Support Person of the Year. She was selected from among 17 support personnel acknowledged for their contributions to the school system.
“It’s probably the first year ever that the students have said ‘Ms. Penick, can we please go? We want to speak,'” Said SHMS principal Daphne Penick. While she couldn’t bring the students, she did bring a recording of some of Blakely’s dedicated fans sharing what the love about her, including her “cool” colorful scrubs, great sense of humor, and caring attitude when it comes to getting them, and keeping them, healthy.
The TOTY and SPOTY awards came to a close by memorializing SPOTY Leah Hill of Level Grove Elementary, who passed away this December. Her husband and children came to the event in her memory, and were presented with a plaque to honor her achievments in Habersham County Schools. “Anybody that knows Leah knows her smile was her signature,” said Level Grove principal Darlene Hudson, Ph.D. “She had a way of bringing peace, calm, kindness and joy into any situation.” Hudson recalled Leah Hill as a hard worker who made every child feel loved and important.
“We really miss her, and we’re thankful for the time we had with her,” Hudson said.
All of the honorees were recognized during a banquet Tuesday night, March 10 in The Commons at Piedmont College in Demorest.
Now Habersham joins the Habersham County School System in congratulating all of this year’s TOTY and SPOTY award recipients.
School Teachers of the Year:
Allison Eller (Baldwin)
Christi Thurmond (Clarkesville)
Rachelle Woodruff (Cornelia)
Deana Snowden (Demorest)
Ansley Green (Fairview) – System-wide TOTY
Renee Cox (Hazel Grove)
Steve Lyon (Level Grove)
Donna James (Woodville)
Jenni Andrews (HWMS)
Tammy Brown (NHMS)
Kasey Nichols (SHMS)
Christy Thompson (HNGA)
Shawn Bertrang (SUCCESS)
Zach Hurley (HCHS)
Support Persons of the Year:
Janet Green (Baldwin)
Beverly Morgan (Clarkesville)
Michelle Turner (Cornelia)
Amber Froyen (Demorest)
Nancy Tomlin (Fairview)
Rhonda Gray (Hazel Grove)
Leah Hill (Level Grove)
Karen Embry (Woodville)
Maria Alvarez (HWMS)
Ashley Webb (NHMS)
Christy Blakely (SHMS) – System-wide SPOTY
Samantha Burnett (HNGA)
Anglea Cook (Success Academy)
Terri Roberts (HCHS)
Donald Rice (Technology)
Dave Christiano (Transportation)
Crystal Holcomb (BOE)
