2026 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year: Gwinnett search committee narrows field to six finalists

     Six Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) teachers have been selected as finalists for the 2026 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year (TOTY) title. The finalists are Amber Melander of Patrick Elementary School, Katie Lessard of Puckett’s Mill Elementary School, Abby Paul of Berkmar Middle School, Sharese Colbert of Radloff Middle School, Nakaya Manning of Central Gwinnett High School, and Mia Johnson of Shiloh High School.

      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. A selection committee of GCPS educators narrowed the field to 25 semifinalists selected from an impressive list of 141 local school TOTYs. The committee—which includes former teachers of the year, local school administrators, and central office staff—now has the difficult task of selecting the 2026 Teacher of the Year. On January 30, at 6:30 p.m., GCPS will host a celebration honoring this year's finalists and naming the top teacher in the school district.

2025-26 Finalists for GCPS TOTY

Amber Melander
K-5 Computer Science Teacher at Patrick Elementary School
(20 years in education, 7 in GCPS)

     Amber Melander is dedicated to preparing her Computer Science students for career readiness by supporting teacher excellence through collaborative future-ready lessons and demonstrating best teacher practices. “In my classroom, all students feel challenged and heard through empathetic problem-solving relevant to their future careers while being immersed in equitable collaboration,” Melander shares. In her commitment to a future-ready education, Melander consistently seeks out professional learning opportunities to be up to date on ever-changing technology that serves her students. “Being an equity-centered teacher is extremely important to me. As a teacher of a STEM-centered subject, it is of the utmost importance that I show all students that there is a place for them in a STEM career. If, as a society, we want technology to be ethical and represent all people, all people must be represented in technology-based careers, and that begins in elementary school,” she explains.

      Melander began her teaching journey in GCPS in 2017 at Patrick Elementary School, where, in addition to her current role, she previously taught 2nd and 5th grade. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in STEM Education from Walden University.

Katie Lessard
4th Grade Teacher at Puckett’s Mill Elementary School
(20 years in education, 7 years in GCPS)

     Katie Lessard finds her strength as an educator through valuing each and every child. “I believe each and every child is viewed as a unique learner deserving to feel safe, valued, and challenged in an environment where mistakes lead to knowledge, grit is developed, and collaboration is fostered to grow a love for learning,” she shares. Lessard also strives to exemplify the strategic priorities of empathy, equity, effectiveness, and excellence in her classroom through innovative and creative approaches to learning. “Throughout my career, my core values and beliefs have been steadfast. To teach each and every child, I must provide a safe place to make mistakes, take chances, and learn. I want the children and families that entrust their children to me to remember that their teacher’s classroom was a place where they knew it was okay to not know how to do something, yet. It is the classroom where they can try out new ideas, find it may not work, and try again,” Lessard adds.

     Lessard began her GCPS career in 2017 teaching 3rd grade. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in Teaching & Learning: STEM Education Concentration from Clemson University.

Abby Paul
Physical Science Teacher at Berkmar Middle School
(20 years in education, 5 years in GCPS)

     Abby Paul fuels her passion by ensuring impact is a staple of her approach to education and a way for students to view themselves and the world around them. “My foremost passion is learning, and I am a lifelong learner. This passion for learning ceaselessly drives me to build my teaching capacity; teachers should always be reflective in their practice, collaborate with learners and fellow educators, be willing to adjust their practice, and acquire new methods and strategies to help their students succeed. The needs of my students serve as the guidepost in my professional development because they signal my ongoing need for growth and, frequently, a need for growth in those I lead,” says Paul. In her first year as Science Fair Coordinator, Paul acted and adapted quickly to secure funding and additional support for her students. She further believes that cognitive and effective learning are inseparable. “My goal as an educator is to promote the well-being (physical, emotional, social, intellectual), dignity, and human potential of each student. My classroom culture is one of high expectations for achievement and behavior, open communication, accessibility to curriculum, and collaborative learning where students work in diverse groups to solve real-world problems. I believe I must lead by example, operating with honesty, integrity, flexibility, empathy, and equity,” she explains.

          Paul joined Team GCPS in 2020 in the same teaching role at Berkmar Middle School. She has two bachelor’s degrees from Emory University in Biology and Biological Anthropology.

Sharese Colbert
Reading Enrichment Teacher at Radloff Middle School
(22 years in education, 13 years in GCPS)

     Sharese Colbert fosters a love for reading with her students by encouraging them to be curious about what they read and inspiring them to connect beyond the surface of the text. Colbert is also a champion of teacher retention, acting as a leader and supportive force in her learning community. “My growth as an educator is defined by a commitment to improving literacy, supporting teacher retention, and fostering a supportive learning environment. Whether I am mentoring, leading professional learning sessions, or conducting research, I remain deeply dedicated to making a lasting contribution to the field of education—one that ensures all students and educators have the tools they need to thrive,” she explains. Colbert has also strengthened the space for fitness and wellness at her school by transforming various after-school programs at her school. “The collaborative atmosphere that has emerged among colleagues through our shared passion for fitness has been vital in creating a more connected and supportive school environment. Whether it is running alongside our students in the 5K or coming together for after-school workouts, we are continuously reinforcing the importance of physical and emotional wellbeing in our school culture,” Colbert adds.

     Colbert started her educational journey with GCPS in 2006 at Duluth Middle School as a Teacher Professional Assistant. She has a bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Savannah State University, a master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix, and a specialist degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University.

Nakaya Manning
Journalism I-IV, Business Communication, Peer Leading and Mentoring and Student Leadership Teacher at Central Gwinnett High School
(21 years in education, 5 in GCPS)

     Nakaya Manning embodies the strategic priorities of empathy, equity, effectiveness, and excellence in her classroom daily. “In my classroom, everyone is treated like a leader. I use a versatile, communication-centered curriculum and create intentional moments for students to recognize their potential and transform into confident and capable representatives of our school and community,” she shares. Manning also uses her experiences as a leader in and outside of the school to influence her students to be exceptional leaders in their communities. “My objective is to empower students to build leadership and civic competencies that will foster their overall success in life. They gain relevant 21st century skills by planning and facilitating programs that require professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and reflection. Communication is at the forefront of this learning. Embedding the fundamental literacy skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening into relevant, interactive lessons empowers every student to strategically coordinate their ideas and creativity within a positive learning environment,” Manning explains. She is committed to continuous school improvement by finding ways to develop her students into well-rounded individuals who approach their career goals and educational challenges fearlessly.

     Manning started her journey with GCPS as a 9th Grade English Language Arts, World Literature & American Literature Teacher at Central Gwinnett High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Louisville, and a specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Mia Johnson
Algebra Concepts & Connections Teacher at Shiloh High School
(8 years in education, 3 years in GCPS)

     Mia Johnson leads her students to success with confidence, accessibility, and support. “I believe all students can learn and excel in math with the right support and opportunities. I maintain high expectations and accountability for all students, along with the necessary support to help them achieve those expectations,” Johnson shares. Passionate about math, Johnson believes that students learn best when they are actively engaged in problem-solving, discussion, and exploration. To share this passion, Johnson formed the IGNITE team at her school with her colleagues. “The purpose of the IGNITE Team was to celebrate the outstanding achievements of students and staff, enhance the positive perception of our school's culture, recognize everyone’s school pride, and improve staff and student engagement. The team introduced themed weeks to promote these goals,” she explains. Johnson sees the impact of community and how it translates to a flourishing classroom that inspires each and every student. “Learning math should be collaborative and filled with support from the staff, parents, and other students because math is all around us. I strive to make math clear and meaningful by getting the students to see how math can be used and seen. This not only makes learning more relevant but also helps students see the value of math in their daily lives,” she says.

     Johnson started her career with GCPS in 2021 at Shiloh High School. She holds a bachelor’s and master's degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Mathematics, both from Columbus State University, and is currently pursuing a specialist degree in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education at Kennesaw State University.