Woodstock HS Educator Named 2025 CCSD Media Specialist of the Year

From left, School Board member Kelly Poole, Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis, CCSD Media Specialist of the Year Jennifer Cogdill of Woodstock High School, and Michael Gibson of Credit Union of Georgia, which sponsored the award’s gifts.

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For the second year in a row, Woodstock High School is home to the Cherokee County School District’s top media specialist: Jennifer Cogdill!

Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis today visited the media center to surprise Ms. Cogdill with the news she is the Cherokee County School District’s Library Media Specialist of the Year in recognition of her professional excellence.  She now advances to represent CCSD in the regional competition, from which she could move on to the state contest. 

Ms. Cogdill, who worked as a classroom teacher before taking on her role as a media specialist, earned the top CCSD honor last year as well as the regional award.

Media specialists for CCSD schools serve far beyond their role as library managers -- they are certified educators who teach students about literacy, technology, research, digital citizenship, and more.  Their talent, like their classroom teacher counterparts, is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched

School Board members, who support CCSD’s media center programs through their continued investment, joined in the surprise, as did district and school leaders.  As part of the presentation, Ms. Cogdill was awarded a $500 Visa gift card, plaque and banner, with the costs sponsored by Credit Union of Georgia, a CCSD Partner. 

All CCSD school media specialists were eligible for the award.  Ms. Cogdill was selected as the winner from a pool of outstanding nominees by a judging committee of retired educators and community leaders.

“Daily, the WHS media center is action-packed and alive, truly the heart of the school, a place where all are welcomed, where all can grow,” Principal Charley Ingham said.  “She enhances the educational experience for all students, making learning and growth the center of all she does.”

One of her newest initiatives is the development of the WHS Library Ambassadors program, which offers the 40 participating students the opportunity to volunteer in the media center in many roles including planning and promoting special events and programs. 

“Since working at WHS, I have never experienced literacy being celebrated and encouraged as much as it is right now,” Ms. Cogdill said.  “As an educator, I am always attempting to make an impact in students’ lives, but the roles are rotating.  Through my students, I am more efficient, better prepared, further planning ahead, and overjoyed every day as I see their smiling faces heading my way, requesting more tasks to complete and offering their innovating ideas to keep making the library simply the best place for all students.”

Ms. Cogdill also serves on the school’s instructional leadership team and sponsors the student government and the student reading club.  She earned her specialist degree in school library media from University of West Georgia, master of education degree from Piedmont College, and bachelor of science in education degree from Northern Illinois University.  Her numerous achievements include selection as a Harvard University Library Leadership in a Digital Age Institute scholarship winner and Microsoft Innovative Educator and Apple Teacher certifications.  
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