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Jackson County Board recognizes teachers, students and VEIL program graduates
Summary
The Jackson County Board of Education used its April 20 meeting to honor district staff and students: teacher Heather Cates received a peer-nominated award, Dr. Stephanie Westhafer won statewide agriculture teaching honors, Drake Kersey was named a National Merit finalist, and multiple students were named Young Georgia Authors and GHSA finalists.
The Jackson County Board of Education spent a sizable portion of its April 20 agenda recognizing teachers and students across the district. A presenter announced Heather Cates, identified in the record as a school psychologist nominated by multiple teachers, as the recipient of a peer-nominated award meant to honor employees who go "above and beyond."
Dr. Stephanie Westhafer of West Jackson Elementary was recognized for receiving the 2026 National Agriculture in the Classroom Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award and was noted as a past system teacher of the year and recipient of other statewide honors.
Jackson County High School senior Drake Kersey was introduced as the district’s only National Merit Scholarship finalist this year; the board described the selection process and congratulated him. The meeting also acknowledged district winners and finalists from the Young Georgia Authors competition and three students selected for the Governor’s Honors Program: Naija Kebru, Mackenzie Haggerty and Logan Wagner. The East Jackson High School literary team was recognized as the GHSA Class 2A state runner-up.
Board and district speakers emphasized pride in student achievement and thanked teachers and community partners who support academic and extracurricular excellence. The recognitions concluded with congratulations to graduates of the VEIL (Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy) program who completed a year-long course of instruction on how the school system operates.
