CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Two Habersham County Schools employees were recognized Monday for going above and beyond in their work supporting students, families and fellow educators.
The Habersham County Board of Education presented Peach State Federal Credit Union awards to Cornelia Elementary School counselor Emily Morris and Level Grove Elementary School behavior interventionist Samantha McAllister during Monday night’s regular meeting.
Morris honored for supporting family through hardship
Morris received the Peach State Federal Credit Union Extra Mile Award, presented by board member Dr. Darlene Hudson.
Morris was nominated by Cornelia Elementary Principal Carrie Trotter, who praised the counselor for consistently supporting students and staff while cultivating a culture of kindness, compassion and career readiness.
The nomination also highlighted Morris’ response to a Cornelia Elementary student and his mother who were facing significant hardships. The student’s mother was terminally ill and unable to work, leaving the family facing serious housing and other basic-needs challenges.
Morris began checking on the family multiple times a week, including after hours, to make sure they had food and other essential supplies while helping the family seek stable housing.
She also assembled a team of school employees to support the family and included a bilingual staff member to help bridge language barriers.
As the mother’s health declined, Morris helped develop a long-term plan for the student in the event his mother could no longer care for him, connecting the family with another family prepared to provide the child with a home and stability if necessary.
Hudson said she had the opportunity to work with Morris during her final year and described her as “fabulous.”
The nomination said Morris’ work provided the child’s mother with peace of mind during the final stage of her life while helping ensure her son would have continued support.
“By providing this incredible level of support, she gave a mother peace of mind during her final season of life and ensured that a young boy would always be surrounded by love and stability,” the nomination stated.
McAllister recognized for behavior support
McAllister received the Peach State Federal Credit Union Service Above Self Award, presented by board member Doug Westmoreland.
The nomination praised McAllister for her commitment to supporting students, teachers and colleagues throughout the district.
As a behavior interventionist, McAllister researches, develops and implements tools designed to help students manage their behavior, develop self-regulation skills and succeed in the classroom.
The nomination highlighted McAllister’s ability to build meaningful relationships with students by taking time to understand their individual needs and helping them feel supported and capable of success.
Her work also extends to the district’s behavior team. McAllister assists with organizing paperwork, completing documentation and maintaining compliance with required procedures.
She also supports classroom teachers by developing behavior intervention materials, providing practical strategies for addressing student needs and assisting with classroom responsibilities.
The nomination described her as a collaborative team member whose positive attitude and servant leadership have made her an important part of the district’s behavior team.
“Samantha exemplifies what it means to put others before herself,” the nomination stated.
It also praised her “dedication, professionalism and passion for helping students and supporting those around her” as embodying the spirit of the Service Above Self Award.
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