The first step of the district’s search for its 2026 Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Teacher of the Year (TOTY) is complete and 141 local school Teachers of the Year have been designated as final selections in their schools.

     “At Gwinnett County Public Schools, we are incredibly proud of the outstanding educators who go above and beyond each day to inspire, motivate, and shape the future of our students,” GCPS Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services Dr. Nikki Mouton shares. “Being selected as a local Teacher of the Year is a testament to their dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence in education. Their hard work does not go unnoticed, and we are truly grateful for the impact they make in the lives of our students and our community.” 

     The GCPS TOTY program is aligned with the state and national Teacher of the Year programs. The educator named district TOTY will officially serve from July 2025 – June 2026 and will apply to be the state TOTY in the fall of 2025. 

     The 141 local school honorees will move into the next phase of the TOTY process as they are considered for the system-wide honor. In October, this group will be narrowed down to 25 semifinalists. Six finalists from that group will be chosen in November. On January 30, at 6:30 p.m., GCPS will host a banquet celebration honoring this year’s finalists and naming the top teacher in Gwinnett County.  

 

Here’s an overview of the selection process:

• Step 1: All teachers at each participating Gwinnett school nominate and vote for their local school Teacher of the Year. 
• Step 2: All 141 school-level Teachers of the Year applications are screened, and 25 semifinalists for the county-level honor are selected.
• Step 3: The 25 semifinalists’ applications are scored to determine the six finalists.
• Step 4: A selection committee of teachers, central office personnel, and administrators will conduct in-person and virtual visits and complete thorough interviews with each educator. The committee will look for effective teaching methods, study the educator’s teaching philosophy, consider the influence the teacher has had on the teaching practices of his or her colleagues, and review the teacher's impact on student engagement and achievement. 
• Step 5: From the six finalists, the committee will select a Teacher of the Year for each level— elementary, middle, and high. One of the level winners will be recognized as GCPS’ 2026 Teacher of the Year.

GCPS’ 2026 Local School Teachers of the Year (TOTYs)

• Alcova Elementary School, Amanda Quartermaine, Physical Education Teacher (Grades K-5) 
• Alford Elementary School, Eric Hicks, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Anderson-Livsey Elementary School, Kimberly Cox, 4th Grade Teacher
• Annistown Elementary School, Sherry Longstreth, Dual Language Immersion Teacher (Grade 4) 
• Arcado Elementary School, Afiya Charaniya, Kindergarten Teacher
• Archer High School, Stephen Lindsay, AP Language & Composition and AP Research Teacher (Grades 11-12)
• Baggett Elementary School, Shanteria Smith, Multilingual Learner and Early Intervention Program Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Baldwin Elementary School, Eboni Cotton, English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grade 3)
• Bay Creek Middle School, Whitney Nalepa, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 7) 
• Beaver Ridge Elementary School, Genevieve Simms, Music Teacher (Grades Pre K- 5) 
• Benefield Elementary School, Ashley Dent, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 Teacher (Grades 4-5)
• Berkeley Lake Elementary School, Gillum Owen, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 5)
• Berkmar High School, Jennifer Valentine, Life Skills: Career Tech, Food for Life, Marketing Principles, Introduction to Business and Technology Teacher (Grade 12+)
• Berkmar Middle School, Abby Paul, High School Physical Science Teacher (Grade 8)
• Bethesda Elementary School, Kim Peterson, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Britt Elementary School, Kylie Gabrielson, 3rd Grade Teacher 
• Brookwood Elementary School, Kelli Clarno, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 3, Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Affective Skills Teacher (Grades 4-5)
• Brookwood High School, Cole Hembree, Basic Agricultural Science and Forestry Science Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Buice Center, Dena Duncan, Community-Based Vocational Skills Teacher (Grade 12+)
• Burnette Elementary School, Alexandra Hurlburt, Special Education Interrelated Resource- Language Arts Teacher (Grades 4-5)
• Camp Creek Elementary School, Annette Santana, Gifted Teacher (Grades K-5) 
• Cedar Hill Elementary School, May F. Isles, Special Education Interrelated Resource- Mathematics and Language Arts Teacher (Grades 3-5)
• Centerville Elementary School, Nyasha Grant, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 5) 
• Central Gwinnett High School, Nakaya Manning, Journalism I-IV, Business Communication, Peer Leading & Mentoring, and Student Leadership Teacher (Grades 10-12) 
• Chattahoochee Elementary School, Jennifer Burchardt, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 3)
• Chesney Elementary School, Nicholas Amica, 5th Grade Teacher
• Coleman Middle School, Erica Parkman, Science Teacher (Grade 8) 
• Collins Hill High School, Alayna Warner, U.S. History, Peer Leadership, and Peer Facilitation Teacher (Grades 11-12) 
• Cooper Elementary School, Dr. Megan Perrer, 3rd Grade Teacher 
• Corley Elementary School, Leslie Lary, Kindergarten Teacher
• Couch Middle School, Michelle Fuller, Language Arts (Grade 7)
• Craig Elementary School, Nik-Cole Austin, Computer Science Special and  Advanced Mathematics Teacher (Grades 1-4)
• Creekland Middle School, Yolanda Rivera-Suarez, High School Physical Science Teacher
  (Grade 8) 
• Crews Middle School, Jessie Kelly, Science Enrichment and Biology Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Dacula Elementary School, Shelley Medley, Kindergarten Teacher
• Dacula High School, Alan Cummings, Physics, AP Physics 1, and AP Physics C: Mechanics Teacher (Grades 11-12)
• Dacula Middle School, Jennifer Sevier, Life Science Teacher (Grade 7)
• Discovery High School, Alan Marin, AP Human Geography and World Geography Teacher
  (Grade 9)
• Duluth High School, Sarah Dixon, Visual Arts Comprehensive I & II, Graphics I & II Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Duluth Middle School, Molly Klassen, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 6)
• Duncan Creek Elementary School, Melissa Wade, Gifted Teacher (Grades K-5) 
• Dyer Elementary School, Lincoln Herring, Music Teacher (Grades K-5) 
• Ferguson Elementary School, Victor Ruiz, Teacher and Instructional Technology and Innovation Coach (Grades K-5) 
• Five Forks Middle School, Eric Morrow, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 7)
• Fort Daniel Elementary School, Jessie Killgo, Preschool Teacher
• Freeman's Mill Elementary School, Lauren Anglin, Special Education Specific Learning Disability Teacher (Grades 2-3)
• GIVE Center East, LaTonja M. DeCambre, World History Teacher (Grade 10) 
• GIVE Center West, Dr. Alexandra Thomas, Engineering Teacher (Grades 9-12) 
• Grace Snell Middle School, Sharonita L. Wade, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 3 Teacher (Grade 8)
• Graves Elementary School, Solomon Washington, 2nd Grade Teacher
• Grayson Elementary School, Gerald Coleman, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)
• Grayson High School, Kris McNeill, AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C: Mechanics Teacher
  (Grades 10-12)
• Gwin Oaks Elementary School, Kelli Palma, 1st Grade Teacher
• Gwinnett Online Campus, Dr. Renee Smith, AP Computer Science Principles, Advanced Cybersecurity, Intro to Cybersecurity, and Intro to Software Technology Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Dr. William S. Cossen, AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government and Politics Teacher (Grades 11-12) 
• Harbins Elementary School, Amanda Stewart, Gifted Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 3)
• Harmony Elementary School, Ellen Walker, 1st Grade Teacher 
• Harris Elementary School, Katlyn Gomez, Kindergarten Teacher
• Head Elementary School, Aishah Cochran, 1st Grade Teacher 
• Hopkins Elementary School, Jonathan Nguyen, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Hull Middle School, James Burckhardt, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 2- Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• International Transition Center, Marisol Gentry, Algebra C & C and Academic Language of Mathematics Teacher (Grades 8-11)
• Ivy Creek Elementary School, Tammy Marbut, 1st Grade Teacher 
• Jackson Elementary School, Chana Phillips, 3rd Grade Teacher 
• Jenkins Elementary School, Sydney Harrison, Special Education Significant Intellectual Disability/ Pervasive Intellectual Disability Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Jones Middle School, Dr. Jenna Abney, Special Education Interrelated Resource-Language Arts Teacher (Grade 6)
• Jordan Middle School, Sierra Stoddard, Visual Arts, Advanced Visual Arts, and Yearbook Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Kanoheda Elementary School, Darius Young, 2nd Grade Teacher 
• Knight Elementary School, Brooke Brantley, 1st Grade Teacher 
• Lanier High School, Laura Wood, Orchestra Teacher (Grades 9-12) 
• Lanier Middle School, Catherine Duncan, Special Education Interrelated Resource- Mathematics Teacher (Grade 8) 
• Lawrenceville Elementary School, Amie Schaff, Music Teacher (Grades Pre-K-5) 
• Level Creek Elementary School, Megan Bell, Early Intervention Program Reading and Mathematics Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Lilburn Elementary School, Jasmine Beasley, 4th Grade Teacher  
• Lilburn Middle School, Anissa Richardson, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 8) 
• Lovin Elementary School, Amber Savage, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)
• Magill Elementary School, Dr. Jacquelin B. Witherspoon, Music Teacher (Grade K-5) 
• Mason Elementary School, Lisa R. Noel, Literacy Teacher (Grade 5)
• Maxwell HS of Technology, Dee Tillman, Architectural Drawing and Design Teacher (Grades 10-12) 
• McClure Health Science High School, Sladjana Ray, World History Teacher (Grades 9-10) 
• McConnell Middle School, David Thomas, Junior Leadership Corps Teacher (Grades 6-8) 
• McKendree Elementary School, Natalia Mejia, Reading Teacher (Grades 3-5)
• Meadowcreek Elementary School, Sarah Willoughby, Music Teacher (Grades K-5) 
• Meadowcreek High School, Linda Desmond, Algebra I Concepts and Connections Teacher
  (Grade 9) 
• Mill Creek High School, Mary Morris, Biology (AP, Gifted, CP, Honors) Teacher (Grades 10-12)
• Minor Elementary School, Maisy Pritchard, Music Teacher (Grades Pre-K-5) 
• Moore Middle School, Vanzella Onuoha, Mathematics Teacher (Grades 6-8 Connections)
• Mountain Park Elementary School, Karen Sessler, Literacy, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)
• Mountain View High School, Shelley Pickens, Spanish 2 and AP Spanish Language & Culture Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Mulberry Elementary School, Darla Winfrey, Early Intervention Program-Mathematics and Reading Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Nesbit Elementary School, Lin Wong, 1st Grade Teacher
• Norcross Elementary School, LeTricia Parks, 3rd Grade Teacher  
• Norcross High School, Erin Park, English to Speakers of Other Languages- Literature and Language Development Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• North Gwinnett High School, Hayley Garner, Language Arts Teacher (Grades 9-10) 
• North Gwinnett Middle School, Caryn Volk, Guitar Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• North Metro Academy of Performing Arts, Lindsey Morrison, Special Education Interrelated Resource Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Northbrook Middle School, Jason McNeely, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 7) 
• Norton Elementary School, Brenda Milner, 2nd Grade Teacher  
• Oakland Meadow School, Dr. Chinyere Obi, Early Childhood Education Teacher (Grade PreK)
• Osborne Middle School, Joni Anthony, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 4 Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Parkview High School, Stephen Westbrook, AP Seminar, AP Research, AP Language & Composition, and Literary Magazine Teacher (Grades 10-12)
• Parsons Elementary School, Ami Abreu, English to Speakers of Other Languages and MTSS Behavior Specialist Teacher (Grades K-2)
• Partee Elementary School, Marian Holtzman, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts Teacher (Grade 3)
• Patrick Elementary School, Amber Melander, Computer Science Teacher (Grades K-5) 
• Paul Duke STEM High School, Lauren Ashley Whaley, French I & II Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Peachtree Elementary School, Angelique Sirman, English to Speakers of Other Languages- Mathematics and Reading Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Peachtree Ridge High School,  Jeremy Muyres, Advanced Weight Training and Servant Leadership Teacher (Grade 9-12)
• Pharr Elementary School, Shannon Gee, 5th Grade Teacher
• Phoenix High School, Jennifer Reynolds, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 10-12)
• Pinckneyville Middle School, Meredith Westbrook, English to Speakers of Other Languages Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)
• Puckett's Mill Elementary School, Katie Lessard, 4th Grade Teacher
• Radloff Middle School, Sharese Colbert, Reading Enrichment Teacher (Grades 6-8) 
• Richards Middle School, James Shaver, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 6) 
• Riverside Elementary School, Kathryn Freeman, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 5) 
• Roberts Elementary School, Kristyn Dunn, 5th Grade Teacher  
• Rock Springs Elementary School, Scottie Hendrix, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 5) 
• Rockbridge Elementary School, Ashley Rattray, Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 3) 
• Rosebud Elementary School, Kaitlyn Winegarner, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)
• Seckinger High School, Scott Gaffney, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 9) 
• Shiloh Elementary School, Anamarie Shatto, Special Education Significant Developmental Delay Teacher (Grade 1)
• Shiloh High School, Mia Johnson, Algebra Concepts & Connections, Foundations of Algebra, and College Readiness Teacher (Grade 9)
• Shiloh Middle School, Darin Edgecomb, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 7)
• Simonton Elementary School, Stephanie Aseltine, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teacher (Grade K-5) 
• Simpson Elementary School, Raven Beard, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 3 Teacher (Grades 2-3) 
• Snellville Middle School, Brett Peavy, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8) 
• South Gwinnett High School, Christopher Todd McCowan, AP Literature Teacher (Grade 12) 
• Starling Elementary School, Charity Johanson, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 4) 
• Stripling Elementary School, Rebecca Phillips, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teacher (Grades K-5) 
• Sugar Hill Elementary School, Carmen Smith, Advanced Content Mathematics and Mathematics Enrichment Teacher (Grades 2-4) 
• Summerour Middle School, Yoelinson Castillo, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 8) 
• Suwanee Elementary School, JoAn Phillips, Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5) 
• Sweetwater Middle School, Dominik Jasarevic, Earth Science Teacher (Grade 6) 
• Sycamore Elementary School, Anne-Marie Trent, 1st Grade Teacher
• Taylor Elementary School, Stephanie Tierney, 1st Grade Teacher 
• Trickum Middle School, Katelin Joyner, Mathematics & Enhanced Algebra Teacher (Grade 8) 
• Trip Elementary School, Gina Blair-Walker, Reading, Writing, and Social Studies Dual Language Immersion Teacher (Grade 5) 
• Twin Rivers Middle School, Elizabeth Geozos, Special Education Interrelated Resource- Language Arts Teacher (Grade 7) 
• Walnut Grove Elementary School, Courtney Toland, Special Education Moderate Intellectual Disabilities Teacher (Grades K-3) 
• White Oak Elementary School, Emily Heck, Health Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Winn Holt Elementary School, Kathryn Jones, Music Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Woodward Mill Elementary School, Kelly Helton, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teacher (Grades K-5)