SCMS Teacher Brittany Fox Named Philip Wright Award Winner

Stephens County Middle School special education teacher Brittany Fox has been selected as the school district’s Philip Wright Award winner. 

Each year, school districts in Northeast Georgia’s Pioneer RESA (Regional Education Service Agency) area honor individuals who show a strong commitment to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities by presenting the Philip Wright Award. 

The award is given in the name of Philip Wright, the former director of the North Georgia Learning Resources System, an arm of the Pioneer RESA that works with students with disabilities. Wright was recognized as an educator who created a legacy of service in the area of special education in this region. 

In Stephens County, each school selects an individual who exemplifies service, deep respect and regard, commitment and advocacy for children with special needs as the school-level winner, and the district then selects a district-wide winner. 

Fox, as this year’s Stephens County award winner, will represent Stephens County at the regional banquet, sponsored by Pioneer RESA on March 20.

School-level Phillip Wright Award winners were Chaley Hayes at Big A Elementary, Whitney Griffeth at Liberty Elementary, Meghan Haygood at Toccoa Elementary, Stephanie Sheriff at the 5th Grade Academy, and Brad Whitfield at Stephens County High School. 

 

Chaley Hayes – Big A Elementary

Hayes exemplifies professionalism in her attendance, classroom responsibilities, and school duties. She consistently presents patience and love for all of her students. She is a true advocate for them as they begin their educational journey.

 

Whitney Griffeth – Liberty Elementary

Griffeth is an exceptional educator. She has demonstrated strong commitment to learner outcomes. She has shared behavior management strategies with our staff. She has provided support/ideas/guidance for best practice behavior management for students with disabilities and students in the general education setting. She has helped teachers create behavior plans for classrooms and the bus. She consistently demonstrates passion and compassion for serving students with disabilities. 

 

Meghan Haygood – Toccoa Elementary

Haygood is a remarkable educator deeply committed to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities. She embodies qualities such as service, profound respect, dedication and advocacy for children with special needs. Haygood is focused on meeting students at their current level, helping them find their voice, and customizing her approach to their individual needs. Haygood takes the initiative to plan and coordinate CBVI trips not just for her students but for all GAA students at our school. Her passion lies in providing enriching learning experiences that contribute to the adaptive learning growth of students. Additionally, Haygood collaborated with her colleagues to establish the Buddy System at Toccoa Elementary. This supportive practice pairs students with disabilities or special needs with typically developing peers, fostering social inclusion, peer support, and academic success in an inclusive classroom environment. 

 

Stephanie Sheriff – 5th Grade Academy

Sheriff has fully embraced her new role in the Department of Exceptional Children. Retired from teaching band, Sheriff previously had limited experience with students with severe needs, yet she had a passion to continue pouring into our students. She embraced this opportunity with open arms and has done a phenomenal job at building relationships with families while earning the trust and respect from her students and co-workers. She truly goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her students and is relentless in advocating for them. She truly is the voice they deserve.

 

Brittany Fox – Stephens County Middle School.

Fox is a teacher within our special education department at SCMS. She divides her time between teaching small group-resource students and co-teaching with her grade level peers. One attribute that sets her apart from others is that she upholds high expectations from her students with disabilities, and in return, her students respond by meeting and exceeding those expectations. She engages with all students in an upbeat and positive manner and builds relationships with both special and general education students. Parents of her students receive consistent contact and she is very responsive to their needs. Our school implements an independent reading time for students. Fox was concerned about the reading time not being engaging for students with reading difficulties. She created a Buddy reading program in which other students are paired with those who need support while reading independently. The struggling students and their buddies absolutely love the interaction that they get to have while reading their books and the program has brought a true sense of learning to love to read into a new focus for all students. Also, within the buddy reading program, she has sought out high interest novels that are written especially for struggling readers. Students are excited about reading! Fox is a true advocate for those with disabilities and an asset to our team. 

 

Brad Whitfield – Stephens County High School

Whitfield is currently a co-teacher in our Exceptional Children department at SCHS. He als serves as a case manager for students who receive Special Education services. It is a true honor to have Whitfield serving the students of Stephens COunty. Each and every day, it is evident that he is fully committed to our team’s mission and vision. At SCHS, we are committed to preparing all students for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow, and we are ALL IN for ALL students. No one is more committed to ALL students than Whitifield. He truly embodies the ALL IN for ALL mindset as he sets high expectations for students and supports them to reach those goals.