The Habersham County Board of Education Extra Mile Award for March went to counselor Natalie Ziemba of the Habersham Success Academy. Ziemba was instrumental in planning a life skills day – also called “Adulting Day” – for her students, which taught them everything from cooking to car maintenance to sewing and financial planning. Ziemba recruited volunteers and presenters to teach the kids the skills they said were lacking in the normal curriculum. Ziemba got her award from board member Doug Westmoreland.
The Habersham County Board of Education Service Above Self Award for March was given to North Habersham Middle School paraprofessional Melanie Benfield. Her nomination said she “will do whatever is needed to help all students regardless of their needs to be successful.” Benfield created a positive reward system to help struggling students complete their academic tasks. The award was presented by board member Dr. Robert Barron and is sponsored by the Clarkesville Rotary Club.
The two Habersham County Board of Education members who are up for re-election this year can breathe an early sigh of relief, as both are running unopposed in their districts.
