Long County Schools recently held a ceremony to honor its outstanding educators, recognizing the 2024–2025 Teachers of the Year from each school. This year’s honorees are:
Alejandra Ortiz-Perez, Walker Pre-K Center
Stacie Besanceney, Long County Primary School
Latoya Bragg, Smiley Elementary School
Joanna Haggerty, McClelland Elementary School
Dianna Jimenez, Long County Middle School
Holly Long, Long County High School
From this distinguished group, Mrs. Joanna Haggerty of McClelland Elementary School was named the 2025–2026 Long County Schools System Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Haggerty currently teaches fourth-grade English Language Arts at McClelland Elementary. Her path to the classroom is an inspiring one. She began her higher education journey in 2004 at Baltimore County Community College, earning an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice. Years later, while stationed with her family in Hawaii during her husband’s military service, she discovered her passion for education and began pursuing teaching in 2019. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University in 2021 and started her teaching career in kindergarten the following year.
In 2023, the Haggerty family relocated to Georgia, where Mrs. Haggerty transitioned to teaching fourth grade at McClelland Elementary. Since then, she has established herself as a leader in literacy instruction. She has earned her LETRS certification, been named Teacher of the Month and Teacher of the Year, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Reading with an Emphasis in Technology at the University of Georgia. She also serves as an English Language Arts professional learning facilitator and participates in the Georgia Department of Education Teacher Policy Fellowship, advocating for literacy for all students.
Long County Schools congratulates all of the Teachers of the Year and celebrates Mrs. Haggerty for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to excellence in education.