The Habersham County Board of Education on Monday recognized two educators for exceptional service to students and families, presenting the Peach State Federal Credit Union Extra Mile Award and Service Above Self Award during its January meeting.
Jamie Smith, a special education teacher at Cornelia Elementary School, received the Peach State Federal Credit Union Extra Mile Award. Board member Darlene Hudson read Smith’s nomination, which highlighted her leadership and support within the school’s special education unit.
“Jamie has gone above and beyond with ensuring the new teachers in the unit have everything they need,” Hudson said.
Smith was nominated by colleague Tara White, who worked with her last year. Hudson said Smith has devoted “countless extra hours” helping new teachers navigate district requirements, including trainings, schedules, documentation, and special education processes.
“She helps maintain the behavior of all grade-level classrooms in the unit,” Hudson said. “She counsels and offers suggestions to help with behaviors in our classrooms too.”
Hudson described Smith’s role as essential in a high-stress environment, particularly while mentoring two new teachers, one of whom was new to the unit.
“It’s a high-stress position on its own, but to take on two new teachers and guide them gracefully and without complaint is a task that deserves recognition,” Hudson said. “Without her, this unit would probably be absolute chaos.”
The board also presented the Peach State Federal Credit Union Service Above Self Award to April Morganfield, a sign language interpreter at Fairview Elementary School. Board Vice Chair Russ Nelson read Morganfield’s nomination.
“April Morganfield exemplifies what it means to serve with heart, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to students and families,” Nelson said.
Morganfield serves as a one-on-one interpreter for a first-grade student who is deaf, but Nelson said her work quickly extended beyond daily interpreting duties.
“From the moment she arrived at Fairview, she recognized that her student needed more than daily interpreting support,” Nelson said. “She needed access — access to communication, to learning, and to meaningful relationships.”
Nelson said Morganfield began working with the student as a kindergartner who knew little sign language, patiently building vocabulary, confidence, and expressive skills so the student could fully participate in classroom life.
“What could have been a straightforward assignment became, in her hands, a mission to build a bridge where one had never existed,” Nelson said.
Each week, Morganfield set goals for learning new signs using pictures, spelling, fingerspelling, and discussion, Nelson said, strengthening both language and cultural understanding.
Her commitment extended beyond the classroom. Nelson said Morganfield initiated sign language instruction for the student’s entire family, helping the student’s mother and siblings learn more than 120 signs.
“What was once a communication barrier has transformed into a growing family language,” Nelson said.
Morganfield also worked closely with teachers, specialists, and support staff and recently helped the family attend a long-missed audiology appointment, remaining with them as they received difficult news that the student’s hearing would not improve.
“She offered strength, understanding, and reassurance,” Nelson said.
Nelson described Morganfield as “more than an interpreter,” calling her an educator, advocate, and champion for her student.
“She breaks down barriers, opens doors, and creates possibility where none existed before,” he said. “Her work is the definition of service above self.”
Both awards are presented by Peach State Federal Credit Union to recognize school employees whose dedication and compassion extend far beyond their daily responsibilities.
