Meet the Gwinnett County teachers of the year for 2028

There’s a teacher somewhere in your past who made something click. Gwinnett County Public Schools is betting that the educators on this list are exactly that kind of teacher for someone.

The school district has completed the first round of its search for the 2028 GCPS Teacher of the Year, with each participating school selecting its own honoree through a process where teachers nominate and vote for their peers. The result is a list of more than 150 educators — from kindergarten special education teachers to Advanced Placement calculus instructors — who have been recognized by the people who know them best: their colleagues.

“When you think about the teachers who changed your life, you think about educators like these,” said Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella. “Our local school Teachers of the Year go above and beyond every day to support, inspire, and empower students. We are proud to celebrate these exceptional educators and grateful for the passion, care, and commitment they bring to our schools and communities.”

The road ahead is long. In October, a committee of teachers, central office personnel, and administrators will screen all school-level applications — with identifying information removed — and select 25 semifinalists for the county-level honor. A second committee then narrows that group to six finalists in November, conducts in-person and virtual visits, and examines each candidate’s teaching philosophy, influence on colleagues, and impact on student achievement. From those six, three level winners are chosen — one each for elementary, middle, and high school — and one of them is named the 2028 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year.

That top honoree will serve officially from July 2027 through June 2028 and will apply to represent Georgia in the state Teacher of the Year competition in the fall of 2027.

All local school honorees will be celebrated at a banquet January 28, 2027, at 6:30 p.m., where the level winners and the district’s top teacher will also be announced.

The full list of 2028 local school Teachers of the Year is below.

Alcova Elementary School: Manna Thomas, Special Education Significant Developmental Delay Teacher (Kindergarten)

Alford Elementary School: DeAndrea Bush, 4th Grade Teacher

Anderson-Livsey Elementary School: Lauren Harris, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 Teacher (Grades K-2)

Annistown Elementary School: William Fillinger, English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grades K, 4, and 5)

Arcado Elementary School: Holly Brown, Mathematics and Science Teacher (Grade 5)

Archer High School: Deanne King, French Teacher (Grades 10-12)

Baggett Elementary School: Robin Colwell, Theatre Teacher (Grades Pre-K-5)

Baldwin Elementary School: Yesenia F. Gutierrez, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Grades K-5)

Bay Creek Middle School: Chelsea Moody, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 7)

Beaver Ridge Elementary School: Ana Navarro, 1st Grade Teacher

Benefield Elementary School: Christy Gray, Early Intervention Program Teacher (Grades K-5)

Berkeley Lake Elementary School: Candice Monts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)

Berkmar High School: Dr. Archie Deen, Geography Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Berkmar Middle School: Caston Jackson II, Computer Science Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Bethesda Elementary School: Dr. Danielle Dickey, Gifted Education Teacher (Grades K-5)

Britt Elementary School: Tia Clonts, Computer Science Teacher (Grades K-5)

Brookwood Elementary School: Dr. Leyah Nicometi, Mathematics Specials Teacher (Grades K-5)

Brookwood High School: Ginny Hanley, Advanced Placement Precalculus and Advanced Placement Calculus AB Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Buice Center: Justin Harrison, Science Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Burnette Elementary School: Kaleigh Hardee, Special Education Interrelated Resource — Language Arts and Mathematics Teacher (Grades 3-5)

Camp Creek Elementary School: Nyiesha Smalls, Special Education Significant Developmental Delay Teacher (Kindergarten)

Cedar Hill Elementary School: Cliff McGaughey, 4th Grade Teacher

Centerville Elementary School: Karissa Nicholson, 5th Grade Teacher

Central Gwinnett High School: Lonnie Davis, Dance Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Chattahoochee Elementary School: Jooyeon Yoo, Korean Teacher (Grades K-5)

Chesney Elementary School: Dr. Hyun McGee, Language Arts Teacher (Grades 1, 2, and 4)

Coleman Middle School: Imani G. Akpuchukwu, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 8)

Collins Hill High School: Lindsay McCord, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 11)

Cooper Elementary School: Yolanda Robinson, Special Education Interrelated Resource Teacher (Grade 1)

Corley Elementary School: Amanda Rodriguez, 1st Grade Teacher

Couch Middle School: LaSheika Gourdine-Rolle, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 6)

Craig Elementary School: Madison Buckman, 5th Grade Teacher

Creekland Middle School: Dara Deans, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)

Crews Middle School: Eboni Jones, Language Arts Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Dacula Elementary School: Hannah Williams, 1st Grade Teacher

Dacula High School: Carol Bowe, Honors, Gifted, and Sheltered Physics Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Dacula Middle School: Chenita Mumpfield, Business Education Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Discovery High School: Dr. Damarrio Holloway, Advanced Placement Statistics and Advanced Financial Algebra Teacher (Grade 12)

Duluth High School: Lisa McKay, Algebra and Accelerated Geometry Teacher (Grade 9)

Duluth Middle School: Anthony Baglio, Guitar Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Duncan Creek Elementary School: Dr. Jennifer Clark, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Specials Teacher (Grades K-5)

Dyer Elementary School: Amy Zanardo, 3rd Grade Teacher

Ferguson Elementary School: Laderka Barron, 4th Grade Teacher

Five Forks Middle School: Robert Jones, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 7)

Fort Daniel Elementary School: Dr. Daniel Castillo, Music Teacher (Grades Pre-K-5)

Freeman’s Mill Elementary School: Michelle Kriete, English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grades 2-3)

GIVE Center East: James O. Warner III, Language Arts Teacher (Grades 9-10)

GIVE Center West: James Larkey, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 8)

Grace Snell Middle School: Kemaya Smith, Science Teacher (Grade 8)

Graves Elementary School: Melissa Davenport, Language Arts Teacher (Grades K-5)

Grayson Elementary School: Lisa Levengood, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teacher (Grades K-5)

Grayson High School: Andre DeRamus, Music Industry and Music Technology Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Gwin Oaks Elementary School: Carolyn G. Johnston, Special Education Interrelated Resource — Language Arts and Mathematics Teacher (Grades 3 and 5)

Gwinnett Online Campus: Dr. Angel Parks, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology: Dr. Rachel Manspeaker, Advanced Placement Statistics and Advanced Placement Calculus AB Teacher (Grades 10-12)

Harbins Elementary School: Jennifer Myles, Music Teacher (Grades K-5)

Harmony Elementary School: Kaitlyn Neher, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)

Harris Elementary School: Hunter Bagwell, 5th Grade Teacher

Head Elementary School: Quinesha Peppers, 3rd Grade Teacher

Hopkins Elementary School: Dr. Marilyn Ramos Rios, Computer Science Teacher (Grades K-5)

Hull Middle School: Dionne C. Byrd, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 7)

International Transition Center: Aziza Kareem, U.S. History Teacher (Grades 9-11)

Ivy Creek Elementary School: Ashley Miranda, Dual Language Immersion — Mathematics, Science, and Spanish Literacy Teacher (Grade 2)

Jackson Elementary School: Teosha Teasley, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)

Jenkins Elementary School: Melinda Maney, Early Intervention Teacher (Grades K-5)

Jones Middle School: Hillary Jones, Chorus Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Jordan Middle School: Christian Sutton, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Kanoheda Elementary School: Jerrica Morales, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 2 Teacher (Kindergarten)

Knight Elementary School: Floyee Gresham, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 5)

Lanier High School: Aqueelah Ahmad-Harris, Healthcare Science Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Lanier Middle School: Rebekah Spratlin, Science Teacher (Grade 7)

Lawrenceville Elementary School: Resheemah Pickering, Special Education Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Level Creek Elementary School: Ashley Mabe, Special Education Interrelated Resource Teacher (Grade 2)

Lilburn Elementary School: Jeff Dumler, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Grades K-5)

Lilburn Middle School: Brianca Noble, Gear Up Physical Science Teacher (Grade 8)

Lovin Elementary School: Amanda Dodd, Music Teacher (Grades Pre-K-5)

Magill Elementary School: Courtney Trent, Kindergarten Teacher

Mason Elementary School: Carrie Nicholson, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Grades K-5)

Maxwell High School of Technology: Lei Threeths, Graphic Design Teacher (Grades 10-12)

McClure Health Science High School: Cathleen Eckholm, Special Education Interrelated Resource — Mathematics Teacher (Grades 9-12)

McConnell Middle School: Alexis Pickett, Special Education Moderate Intellectual Disabilities Teacher (Grades 6-8)

McKendree Elementary School: Kaitlyn Frederick, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 5)

Meadowcreek Elementary School: Jennifer Cacsire-Guzman, 3rd Grade Teacher

Meadowcreek High School: Dr. Cindy L. Watts, Introduction to Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security; Criminal Justice Essentials, and Applications of Law Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Mill Creek High School: Gina White, Special Education Moderate Intellectual Disabilities Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Minor Elementary School: Elizabeth Clark, English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grades K-5)

Moore Middle School: Tamara Cox, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 2 Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Mountain Park Elementary School: Rylie Wilson, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Teacher (Pre-K)

Mountain View High School: Veronica Cross, Engineering Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Mulberry Elementary School: Abasiaka Busali, Special Education Moderate Intellectual Disabilities Teacher (Grades K-2)

Murphy Middle School: Jason Miller, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 6)

Nesbit Elementary School: Shanyra Walker, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 3)

Norcross Elementary School: Wendy Wilmott, Special Education Interrelated Resource — Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Affective Study Skills Teacher (Grade 3)

Norcross High School: Julia Villalobos, Spanish, Advanced Placement Spanish, and Spanish IV Honors Teacher (Grades 9-12)

North Gwinnett High School: Abigail Myles, Honors Advanced Algebra and Advanced Placement Pre-Calculus Teacher (Grades 9-12)

North Gwinnett Middle School: Taylor W. Dodd, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 7)

North Metro Academy of Performing Arts: Brandon Gamon, Health and Physical Education Teacher (Grades K-5)

Northbrook Middle School: Tashana Gayle, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 Teacher (Grades 6-7)

Norton Elementary School: Winsome Haldane, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)

Oakland Meadow School: Tracy S. Dankberg, Hospital/Homebound and Teleclass — Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Financial Algebra, Advanced Mathematical Decision-Making, and Gifted Health Teacher (Grades 3-12)

Osborne Middle School: Taylor Hall, Chorus Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Parkview High School: Mike Demarest, Advanced Placement Seminar and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Teacher (Grades 10 and 12)

Parsons Elementary School: Que Mattox, Special Education Teacher (Pre-K)

Partee Elementary School: Patrice Jones, Science and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)

Patrick Elementary School: Megan Jaramillo, Special Education Specific Learning Disability Teacher (Grades 2-3)

Paul Duke STEM High School: Francesca Bazzani, French Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Peachtree Elementary School: Daniela Osae, 5th Grade Teacher

Peachtree Ridge High School: Jessica Brace, Biology Teacher (Grade 9)

Pharr Elementary School: Nita Creekmore, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 5)

Phoenix High School: Missy Dishman, Science Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Pinckneyville Middle School: Hannah Weatherby, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 6)

Puckett’s Mill Elementary School: Susan Kersh, Special Education Interrelated Resource Teacher (Grade 2)

Radloff Middle School: Emma Martey, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Richards Middle School: Dr. Heston McCranie, Orchestra Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Riverside Elementary School: Brittany Child, Kindergarten Teacher

Roberts Elementary School: Jennifer Weed, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 4)

Rock Springs Elementary School: Judith Lynn King, Music Teacher (Grades K-5)

Rockbridge Elementary School: Stephanie Irving, 2nd Grade Teacher

Rosebud Elementary School: Alejandra Neyra, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Early Intervention Program Teacher (Grade 3)

Seckinger High School: Emille Williams, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 9)

Shiloh Elementary School: Evan Swain, 1st Grade Teacher

Shiloh High School: Gladys Gilmore, Advanced Placement U.S. History, International Baccalaureate History of the Americas, and U.S. History Teacher (Grades 9-12)

Shiloh Middle School: Synquawna Simms, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)

Simonton Elementary School: Jennifer Colclough, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)

Simpson Elementary School: Chadd Stern, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)

Snellville Middle School: Mellica Telemacque, Special Education Interrelated Resource — Language Arts Teacher (Grade 7)

South Gwinnett High School: Candace Spivey, Advanced Placement Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Advanced Placement Research, and Economics Teacher (Grades 11-12)

Starling Elementary School: Dr. Sakeena Cary, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)

Stripling Elementary School: Brezana Cross, Early Intervention Program — Mathematics and Reading Teacher

Sugar Hill Elementary School: Katie Hawkins, Early Intervention Program Teacher and Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports Coach (Grades K-5)

Summerour Middle School: Dailen Harris, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)

Suwanee Elementary School: Julia Hernandez, 5th Grade Teacher

Sweetwater Middle School: Beth Eubank, Special Education Mild Intellectual Disabilities — Social Studies Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Sycamore Elementary School: Maria Hightower-Bobo, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 5)

Taylor Elementary School: Micheal Barron, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)

Trickum Middle School: Whitney Tinley, Orchestra Teacher (Grades 6-8)

Trip Elementary School: Reid Hawkins, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1 Teacher (Grades K-1)

Twin Rivers Middle School: Erin Jenkins, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 6)

Walnut Grove Elementary School: Amanda Michelle Lovell, Early Intervention Program Teacher (Grades K-5)

White Oak Elementary School: Courtney Jean Pefinis, Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 2 Teacher (Grades 3-5)

Winn Holt Elementary School: Hannah Chan, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)

Woodward Mill Elementary School: Jennifer Jones, Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)