My name is Savannah Mahaffey. I graduated from Rabun County High School in 2011. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Georgia where I graduated with a dual degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I went on to get my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Georgia Southern University. This year will be my 10th year teaching, but my first year at Hughes, and I am super excited to be here.

My husband, Andy and I got married in 2020, and we had our son, Sawyer, in 2022. We also have a black lab/boxer mix named Jax.

I love reading a good book. I like all the genres, so if you have any recommendations send them my way!

Vanilla Coke and 3 Musketeers are my weaknesses.

If I am not busy playing with Sawyer, I am trying to create something; it may be digital or something you can hold in your hands.

I LOVE learning to do new things!

I am so excited to spend the year getting to know all of you. I look forward to being a part of your final year at Hughes Academy!

Teaching Philosophy

Few people are lucky enough to find a career that is fulfilling in all aspects of their lives; I am one of those lucky few. I am an educator. It is more than merely a job—it is a lifestyle. I wake up each day excited for the new challenges that come with teaching today’s youth. The task at hand is one I feel privileged and humbled to carry out. I genuinely love my students and that love quickly turns into my purpose: someone who thrives on helping others achieve success.

 My teaching style requires that I go above and beyond to accommodate the needs of each student. Strong interpersonal skills have aided in my ability to connect easily with others, forming relationships that extend themselves apart from the scope of the classroom. The capacity to take a step back and evaluate a situation for its multifaceted nature demonstrates my competency as an educator who not only educates but continually learns alongside my pupils.

 Learning does not have to be monotonous; learning can be fun. This is why my classroom is not set up in a traditional fashion. Students are well aware of the power of pencil and paper. Yet, not every student learns in a typical manner. I want each lesson and activity to be tailored to fit the needs of each student, which requires not only accountability on my end but also a sense of personal responsibility on each student’s end. Watching any child experience their “Ah Ha” moment is what made me want to become an educator in the first place. Their lightbulb moment is also my lightbulb moment. If a child understands the material, then I have managed to pique their interest and teach the material in a meaningful way. To do so, I try to begin by creating a safe learning environment within my class. Each student must first understand that there is no right or wrong way to learn. All of our brains work at a different place in a different space. Research has proven that intelligence is only understood through multiple lenses requiring that I as an educator vary my approaches to include sensory activities throughout the unit. I am merely the vessel through which information is to be conveyed. Children are naturally curious and in allowing a child the opportunity to pursue his or her interests, even when the standards-based curriculum is addressed, creates lifelong learners.

 Education is the sincerest form of power and I hope to be able to inspire the many who pass through my classroom to believe in the power behind knowledge. They are all brilliant capable beings who will one day surpass us all in both their endeavors and intellectual pursuits.