2026 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year: Katie Lessard named Gwinnett County’s top teacher
A 4th-grade elementary school teacher who sees each and every student uniquely has been awarded the title of 2026 Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Teacher of the Year (TOTY). On January 30, GCPS announced Katie Lessard of Puckett’s Mill Elementary School as the recipient of the district’s highest teaching honor. Held at Gas South Convention Center, the district awarded all 141 local school Teachers of the Year, 25 outstanding semifinalists, and the top six finalists. Principals, district staff, event sponsors, and other esteemed guests were in attendance to support the awardees.
Before this achievement, Lessard was named GCPS Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Lessard was selected from a select group of six finalists, two from each education level (elementary, middle, and high.) Abby Paul of Berkmar Middle School was selected as the district’s middle school Teacher of the Year, and Nakaya Manning of Central Gwinnett High School was selected as the district’s high school Teacher of the Year.
The TOTY selection process begins with nominations at the local school level. Each school selects a local school Teacher of the Year, and from the 141 local winners, 25 semifinalists are selected. A second selection committee then narrows the 25 semifinalists to six before an overall winner is chosen. In addition to the three level winners below, the other three finalists were Amber Melander of Patrick Elementary School, Sharese Colbert of Radloff Middle School, and Mia Johnson of Shiloh High School.
Gwinnett County Public Schools' Teacher of the Year program is aligned with the state and national Teacher of the Year programs, with our naming convention - 2026 Teacher of the Year. 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.
Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year and Elementary School Teacher of the Year
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 uses real-world connections to help her students bring the work they do in the classroom to life. Inviting community experts into the learning environment helps Lessard successfully guide students through Project-Based Learning. “By creating an inclusive environment, I help them become not only better learners but also productive citizens who are prepared for the world beyond school,” Lessard shares.
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.
Gwinnett County Middle School Teacher of the Year
Abby Paul
Physical Science Teacher at Berkmar Middle School
(20 years in education, 4 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 High School. She has two bachelor’s degrees from Emory University in Biology and Biological Anthropology.
Gwinnett County High School Teacher of the Year
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 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 developing 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.
GCPS would like to thank this year’s sponsors for their support of great teachers and for making this celebration of outstanding teaching possible.
Presenting Sponsor:
Peach State Federal Credit Union
Platinum Sponsors:
Arey Jones Educational Solution
Coca-Cola Bottling Company United
Corebridge Financial
Scholastic Images
Gold Sponsors:
Lifetouch School Photography and Yearbooks
Northside Hospital
Silver Sponsor:
MarshMcLennan Agency
Bronze Sponsors:
Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund
The Kroger Co.