Habersham educators, student honored for going extra mile

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Three members of the Habersham County school community were recognized Monday for going above and beyond to support students, families and their schools.

The Habersham County Board of Education recognized Nancy Barnes, an early intervention teacher at Level Grove Elementary School; Jessica Morales, the district translator at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy; and student Mac McCall during its Sept. 14 meeting.

Barnes received the Peach State Federal Credit Union Extra Mile Award, while Morales received the credit union’s Service Above Self Award. McCall was recognized as a second-place statewide winner in the Georgia Department of Education’s school bus safety poster contest.

Barnes recognized for student, staff support

Board member Russ Nelson presented the Extra Mile Award to Barnes, whose nomination came from Level Grove Principal Amy Shedd, Anna Fargason and Jennifer Wheeler.

The nomination described Barnes as an “extraordinary educator, fierce student advocate, and a selfless teammate” who consistently puts the needs of students and colleagues ahead of her own.

Barnes was praised for using every available opportunity to work with students, including morning drop-offs, bus dismissals and brief transition periods.

Rather than waiting for ideal circumstances, the nomination said Barnes uses those pockets of time to provide individualized support and continually studies best practices, researches interventions and refines strategies to meet students’ needs.

Her work extended beyond the school year.

During the summer, Barnes volunteered her time to tutor two new Level Grove students who arrived with significant academic gaps caused by chronic absences at their previous school. She contacted their parent and offered continued summer support to help the students maintain the progress they had made during the school year.

The nomination credited Barnes with helping build the students’ confidence and self-esteem before they returned to school in August.

Barnes also was recognized for supporting her colleagues. She participated in summer book studies and prepared notes and summaries to help teachers apply what they learned to their lesson plans.

The nomination said Barnes regularly shifts her own plans to help coworkers and offers encouragement without being asked.

Morales bridges language gap for families

Board Chair Joey Duncan presented Morales with the Service Above Self Award.

Morales serves as the district translator at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy. She was nominated by Dr. Monica Stevens, Ansley Patrick, Melinda Wallace and the school’s administrative team.

Her nomination focused heavily on the role she plays connecting Spanish-speaking families with teachers and school personnel.

Morales helps communicate student needs, teacher expectations and family concerns while ensuring those conversations are handled respectfully and clearly.

The nomination said staff members frequently turn to Morales when they need help communicating with a parent or guardian.

Her service often extends beyond the traditional school day, with Morales making herself available at times that work for families.

She was also praised for her professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive student information and for creating a more inclusive school culture.

The nomination described Morales as patient, approachable, energetic and encouraging, saying her work helps remove barriers for students and families.

Student earns statewide bus safety honor

Transportation Director Stephanie Walker recognized McCall as a second-place statewide winner in the Georgia Department of Education’s school bus safety poster contest.

Walker said the district holds its school bus safety poster contest each year and brings local winners before the board for recognition.

McCall’s poster earned second place at the state level.

Walker presented McCall with a certificate and noted that he has been recognized multiple times in the contest.

She encouraged him to enter again next year.

McCall also received a check from the Georgia Association for Pupil Transportation.

Kerr highlights mental health resources

The board also recognized the district’s student advocacy specialists, with mental health counselor Angie Kerr using the presentation to explain the broader role of mental health support in Habersham County Schools.

Kerr emphasized that mental health is not synonymous with mental illness.

“Everyone has mental health,” Kerr said, explaining that it affects how people think, feel, cope, build relationships and make decisions.

She said the district’s goal is to provide developmentally appropriate mental health education and training to students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Kerr said the objective is to give students practical skills they can use throughout their lives and to make asking for help a normal and responsible action.

She also emphasized that schools are not intended to replace families, health care providers or community mental health services. Instead, schools can help identify concerns early, connect students and families with resources and create environments where students feel comfortable seeking support.

Kerr again highlighted the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, saying people do not have to be experiencing a crisis to call.

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, she said, and can provide support for a variety of concerns.

Kerr said the district’s broader goal is to build a proactive culture of wellness rather than relying primarily on a reactive approach when problems arise.

“By teaching students about mental health before problems escalate, building coping and help-seeking skills across every grade level, and making resources such as 988 widely known,” Kerr said, “we can move from a primarily reactive model to a proactive culture of wellness.”