Cornelia Elementary kindergarten teacher, Melissa Sedwick, was named Habersham County's 2022 Teacher of the Year. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
Habersham County Superintendent Matthew Cooper announced this year’s winners of the Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year awards at the school system’s banquet Thursday, honoring teachers for their hard work and dedication just before they head out for spring break.
Cornelia Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Melissa Sedwick was named this year’s Teacher of the Year.
“She’s so deserving,” Cornelia Elementary Principal Fran Blackburn said. “I know she puts a hundred percent into everything that she does. I’ve been with her for quite a while and I’ve watched her work from afar, and she’s just amazing. It’s like magic.”
Blackburn says Sedwick never gives up on her students, and that through kindness and patience, she gives it her all to make sure her students learn everything they need.
“It’s very humbling, very flattering,” Sedwick said of her award.
Baldwin Elementary Paraprofessional Megan Peyton was named Support Person of the Year. She was at a loss for words with the award and tells Now Habersham that more than anything, she’s excited to receive it.
Habersham County Schools Support Person of the Year, Megan Peyton, receives her award. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
“It’s very honoring,” Peyton said. “I’m excited, and [thankful] for the teacher I work with, she’s taught me everything I know.”
The honors are chosen by a board of retired teachers, who receive a slate of nominees from each of Habersham’s 14 schools and a packet of information about each, and choose who will receive the year’s teacher and support award.
Aside from their awards, sponsors Peach State Federal Credit Union and Habersham Electric Membership Corporation gifted the teacher and support person of the year with a check, while each school winner received a gift basket.
This year’s school winners include:
Baldwin Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Shannon Gibson
Support Person of the Year: Megan Peyton
Clarkesville Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Allison Boykin
Support Person of the Year: Lisa Watkins
Cornelia Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Melissa Sedwick
Support Person of the Year: Samantha McCallister
Demorest Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Keylia Patton
Support Person of the Year: Sonya Ham
Fairview Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Amanda Coker
Support Person of the Year: Stephany Small
Hazel Grove Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Angela Cromwell
Support Person of the Year: Jason Patrick
Level Grove Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Nita Watkins
Support Person of the Year: Angie Birdsall
Woodville Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Cynthia Carver
Support Person of the Year: Melissa Bramlett
Willbanks Middle School
Teacher of the Year: Nubia Fletter
Support Person of the Year: Karmen Hulsey
North Habersham Middle School
Teacher of the Year: Micky Huff
Support Person of the Year: Tracey Morris
South Habersham Middle School
Teacher of the Year: Heather Bogue
Support Person of the Year: Judy Copeland
Habersham Ninth Grade Academy
Teacher of the Year: Candace Carver
Support Person of the Year: KC Wood
Habersham Success Academy
Teacher of the Year: Bartley Williams
Support Person of the Year: Dexter Worley
Habersham Central High School
Teacher of the Year: Lindsey Welborn
Support Person of the Year: Rosa Gaines
Habersham County School System
Technology Support Person: Misty Turpin
Transportation Support Person: Amanda McCallister
Board of Education Support Person: Lisa Harris
Habersham Central High School’s Support Person of the Year, Rosa Gaines(center left), and Teacher of the Year, Lindsey Welborn (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Baldwin Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, Shannon Gibson (center left), and Support Person of the Year, Megan Peyton (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Elementary School’s Support Person of the Year, Lisa Watkins (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Allison Boykin (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Demorest Elementary School’s Support Person of the Year, Sonya Ham (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Keylia Patton (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Fairview Elementary School’s Support Person of the Year, Stephany Small (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Amanda Coker (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Hazel Grove Elementary School’s Support Person of the Year, Jason Patrick (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Angela Cromwell (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Level Grove Elementary School’s Support Person of the Year, Angie Birdsall (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Nita Watkins (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Woodville Elementary School’s Support Person of the Year, Melissa Bramlett (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Cynthia Carver (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Wilbanks Middle School’s Support Person of the Year, Karmen Hulsey (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Nubia Fletter (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)North Habersham Middle School’s Support Person of the Year, Tracey Morris (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Micky Huff (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)South Habersham Middle School’s Support Person of the Year, Judy Copeland (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Heather Bogue (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Habersham Ninth Grade Academy’s Support Person of the Year, KC Wood (center left), and Teacher of the Year, Candace Carver (center right) pose with administration and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Habersham Success Academy’s Support Person of the Year, Dexter Wor;ey (third from left), and Teacher of the Year, Bartley Williams (second from right) pose with administrators and the superintendent. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Habersham County Transportation Director Stephanie Walker (left) honored Amanda McCallister (center) with the school system’s Transportation Support Preson of the Year award. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Cornelia Elementary’s Support Person of the Year, Samantha McCallister (left), and Teacher of the Year, Melissa Sedwick (center) pose with administrators Fran Blackburn (right) and Assistant Principal Kevin Weems (back). (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)Support Person of the Year Megan Peyton (left) and Teacher of the Year Melissa Sedwick (center) say they’re both honored to be given the recognition they received. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
