2026 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year: Gwinnett selects semifinalists for district’s top honor

     The field of teachers vying to become the 2026 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year just got smaller as Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) announced the names of the 25 semifinalists to be considered for the system’s top honor. The group of 9 elementary, 7 middle, and 9 high school teachers were selected from the initial list of 141 local school Teachers of the Year who were nominated by their colleagues at their local schools. 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.

     This year’s Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year semifinalists are:

• Berkmar Middle School, Abby Paul, High School Physical Science Teacher (Grade 8)
   
• Brookwood High School, Cole Hembree, Basic Agricultural Science and Forestry Science Teacher (Grades 9-12)
   
• Central Gwinnett High School, Nakaya Manning, Journalism I-IV, Business Communication, Peer Leading & Mentoring, and Student Leadership Teacher (Grades 10-12) 
   
• Crews Middle School, Jessie Kelly, Science Enrichment and Biology Teacher (Grades 6-8)
   
• Dacula Middle School, Jennifer Sevier, Life Science Teacher (Grade 7)
   
• Ferguson Elementary School, Victor Ruiz, Teacher and Instructional Technology and Innovation Coach (Grades K-5) 
   
• GIVE Center West, Dr. Alexandra Thomas, Engineering Teacher (Grades 9-12) 
   
• 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, and AP Comparative Government and Politics Teacher (Grades 11-12) 
   
• Jordan Middle School, Sierra Stoddard, Visual Arts, Advanced Visual Arts, and Yearbook Teacher (Grades 6-8)
   
• Lanier High School, Laura Wood, Orchestra Teacher (Grades 9-12) 
   
• Lilburn Elementary School, Jasmine Beasley, 4th Grade Teacher  
   
• Parkview High School, Stephen Westbrook, AP Seminar, AP Research, AP Language & Composition, and Literary Magazine Teacher (Grades 10-12)
   
• 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)
   
• Pharr Elementary School, Shannon Gee, 5th Grade Teacher
   
• 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) 
   
• Roberts Elementary School, Kristyn Dunn, 5th Grade Teacher  
   
• Shiloh High School, Mia Johnson, Algebra Concepts & Connections, Foundations of Algebra, and College Readiness Teacher (Grade 9)
   
• Simonton Elementary School, Stephanie Aseltine, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teacher (Grade K-5) 
   
• Snellville Middle School, Brett Peavy, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8) 
   
• Sugar Hill Elementary School, Carmen Smith, Advanced Content Mathematics and Mathematics Enrichment Teacher (Grades 2-4) 
   
• White Oak Elementary School, Emily Heck, Health Teacher (Grades K-5)