After eleven years as principal, Dr. Connie Yearwood is leaving Demorest Elementary School. Yearwood has accepted a job as principal of Liberty Elementary School in Stephens County. She’ll take over that job in July.
The Habersham County Board of Education announced Tuesday that Lana Jones will succeed Yearwood as DES principal.
While Yearwood says she’s excited about the new opportunity, leaving Demorest is “bittersweet.”
“I am very excited about my next opportunity to serve children, but sad about leaving the place that I’ve served for so long,” she tells Now Habersham. “Serving the children of Habersham County for the past 21 years has been an honor and a privilege, and leading at Demorest has been the highlight of my career.”
‘Pride’ of Habersham
Yearwood credits Demorest Elementary’s “amazing team of teachers, incredible students, and the supportive parents and community” for helping the school with the lion mascot become the “Pride of Habersham.”
“I will miss the culture that is unique to Demorest Elementary. Building a culture where students and teachers aren’t afraid to work hard has been my greatest accomplishment,” Yearwood says.
By moving to Stephens County, Dr. Yearwood follows in the footsteps of another former Habersham County principal, Connie Franklin. Dr. Franklin took over as Stephens County School Superintendent earlier this year.
“Dr. Yearwood’s passion for education, experience, and tremendous skill set will be a wonderful addition to the outstanding team of administrators currently serving in our schools,” Franklin said. “I look forward to watching our Liberty Elementary Students flourish under her leadership.”
Returning to her roots
The move to Liberty puts Yearwood closer to home. She and her husband, Kenny, have lived in Toccoa for more than 30 years. It’s where she began her education career as a substitute teacher in 1998.
After graduating with an education degree from Piedmont College, Yearwood began her teaching career as a 4th-grade teacher at Demorest Elementary School in 2001. She later served as the school’s media specialist. In 2008, she was promoted to assistant principal at Clarkesville Elementary School, and in 2011 returned to Demorest Elementary School as principal.
Under Dr. Yearwood’s leadership, Demorest Elementary School undertook improvement initiatives that resulted in a variety of awards and honors. The Georgia Department of Education recognized the school for outstanding student achievement multiple times, including Highest Performance in 2018 and Highest Progress in 2013, 2016, and 2017, and Title I Distinguished School in 2012, 2013, and 2018. This year, Demorest Elementary made US News and World Reports’ “Best School” list, placing among the top 30 percent of elementary schools in Georgia.
“Connie Yearwood’s time as Principal at Demorest Elementary School will certainly have a lasting impact on the students, staff, and culture there,” says Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper. “Dr. Yearwood was a staunch advocate for her students, and she valued the success of her students above all else.”
“She has been a valuable member of the elementary team for many years and will be missed,” adds Habersham County Director of Elementary Schools Rhonda Andrews. “I wish her all the best as she moves on to the next challenge in her career. I know she will do great things at Liberty Elementary.”
Principal Yearwood will finish out the school year in Demorest and assume her new job at Liberty Elementary School on July first. As she prepares for the transition she says, “I will cherish the relationships that I’ve built in Habersham and have many fond memories to carry with me.”
