Education
2021 Gwinnett County Teachers of the Year, including Paul Duke HS teacher for HS TOTY
During the annual Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year program on December 10, 2020, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks announced Katie Blum of Sugar Hill Elementary School as the recipient of the school system’s highest teaching honor. Due to pandemic restrictions, the celebratory event for the six TOTY finalists, their guests, and a small audience took place at the school district’s Instructional Support Center. While the event—which recognized all 139 local school Teachers of the Year—was live streamed, a recording is available on the GCPS website and via the GCPS TV app.
Prior to earning the school system’s top honor, Blum was first named the 2021 Gwinnett County Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She was selected as Gwinnett’s top teacher from a group of six finalists, which had been narrowed to three level winners. Kelley Donovan of Coleman Middle School is Gwinnett’s 2021 Middle School Teacher of the Year and Philip Peavy of Paul Duke STEM High School is Gwinnett’s 2021 High School Teacher of the Year.
The TOTY selection process began at the start of the school year when thousands of teachers from throughout the district nominated and selected 139 teachers to represent their local schools. A selection committee later narrowed the group to 25 semifinalists, and finally to the six finalists. In addition to the three level winners (Blum, Donovan, and Peavy), the other three finalists were Lena Alonso of Lilburn Elementary School, Julianne Purnell of Five Forks Middle School, and Danielle Swaby of South Gwinnett High School.
High School Teacher of the Year- Philip Peavy, Cyber Security and Game Design Teacher at Paul Duke STEM High School
As a Cybersecurity and Game Design teacher at Paul Duke STEM, Philip Peavy is in uncharted territory and he loves it. He explains, “The ‘Cable Unit’ in Introduction to Cybersecurity is unique to my classroom because it is not done anywhere else in the state or country. Cybersecurity is a new subject around the nation so I develop my entire curriculum. I make the content relevant by providing [students with] skills that are authentic to real-world experience.” As a lifelong learner himself, Peavy is committed to professional development, attending monthly GCPS Career and Technical Education professional development as well as industry conferences to stay on top of the latest industry trends, and to sharpen his teaching skills and methods.
GCPS’ 2021-22 Local School Teachers of the Year (TOTYs)
Alcova Elementary School, Jennifer Bishop, 1st Grade Teacher
Alford Elementary School, Natalia Pyle, 1st Grade Teacher
Anderson-Livsey Elementary School, Taylor Nicole Thomas, Kindergarten Teacher
Annistown Elementary School, Felica Williams, Kindergarten Teacher
Arcado Elementary School, Jamie Garcia Caycho, 1st Grade Teacher
Archer High School, Lee Allen, Algebra Teacher (Grade 9)
Baggett Elementary School, Lucas Findlay, Science Teacher (Grades K-5)
Baldwin Elementary School, Rebecca Patterson, STEM Teacher (Grades K-5)
Bay Creek Middle School, Rebecca Brown, Science Teacher (Grade 7)
Beaver Ridge Elementary School, Christine Bhachech, 4th Grade Teacher
Benefield Elementary School, Rachel Howard, Local School Technology Coordinator and Computer Science Teacher (Grades K-2)
Berkeley Lake Elementary School, Bonnie Walsh, 1st Grade Teacher
Berkmar High School, Dr. Sonia Howard, Chemistry Teacher (Grade 10)
Berkmar Middle School, Taniesha Pooser, Orchestra Teacher (Grades 6-8)
Bethesda Elementary School, Diana Ramirez-Gomez, Dual Language Immersion Teacher – Mathematics and Science – Spanish (Grade 2)
Britt Elementary School, Breana Vining, Early Intervention Program Teacher (Grades 2 and 3)
Brookwood Elementary School, Dr. Nancy Kluge, Kindergarten Teacher
Brookwood High School, Erin Thompson, AP Statistics and Gifted Pre-calculus Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Buice Center, Shanice Turner, Special Education Teacher – Mathematics (Grades 9-12)
Burnette Elementary School, Christy Cochran, Physical Education Teacher (Grades K-5)
Camp Creek Elementary School, Jennifer Gebczyk, Music Teacher (Grades K-5)
Cedar Hill Elementary School, Allison Quevedo, Gifted and Advanced Content Teacher (Grades 4-5)
Centerville Elementary School, Denise Baccus, Media Specialist (Grades K-5)
Central Gwinnett High School, Judith Chavarria, Biology, AP Biology, and Ecology Teacher (Grades 9 and 12)
Chattahoochee Elementary School, Debby Torak, 1st Grade Teacher
Chesney Elementary School, Martine Legagneur-Alcin, 1st Grade Teacher
Coleman Middle School, Brittany Davis, Spanish Teacher (Grades 6-8)
Collins Hill High School, Maggie Harper, English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Cooper Elementary School, Pamela Hart, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grade 1)
Corley Elementary School, Jafria Wooden, Early Intervention Program and English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grades K-5)
Couch Middle School, Jasmine Clay, Special Education Teacher – Mathematics (Grade 8)
Craig Elementary School, Chimere Burns-Filonenko, 2nd Grade Teacher
Creekland Middle School, Jessica Schiereck, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 7)
Crews Middle School, Sabrina Robertson, Chorus Teacher (Grades 6-8)
Dacula Elementary School, Susan Hunter, Kindergarten Teacher
Dacula High School, Brandi Poore, Special Education Teacher – Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities (Grades 9-12)
Dacula Middle School, Katrina Clavon, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource – Language Arts (Grade 6)
Discovery High School, Brandon T. Baker, Chorus Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Duluth High School, Shawn M. Morton, Orchestra Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Duluth Middle School, Lien Huynh, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 7)
Duncan Creek Elementary School, Jennifer Chandler, 3rd Grade Teacher
Dyer Elementary School, Jamie Sturgeon, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource – Language Arts and Mathematics (Grades 3 and 5)
Ferguson Elementary School, Diane Cawthon, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1) (Grades K-5)
Five Forks Middle School, Matt Tankersley, Band Teacher (Grades 6-8)
Fort Daniel Elementary School, Kevin Glausier, Physical Education Teacher (Grades K-5)
Freeman’s Mill Elementary School, Lisa Brownlee, Art Teacher (Grades K-5)
GIVE Center East, Brenda G. Clark, Chemistry Teacher (Grade 10)
GIVE Center West, Emily Eigel, Algebra I Teacher (Grade 9)
Grace Snell Middle School, Amelia Massey, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource – Language Arts (Grade 6)
Graves Elementary School, Elanna Worthy, 3rd Grade Teacher
Grayson Elementary School, Kristen Davis, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science Teacher (Grade 3)
Grayson High School, Linn Zamora, Visual Arts and Photography Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Gwin Oaks Elementary School, Sara Stephenson, 1st Grade Teacher
Gwinnett Online Campus, David Wise, Science Teacher (Grade 6)
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Laurie Duke, Chorus Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Harbins Elementary School, Katie Walker, 1st Grade Teacher
Harmony Elementary School, Hannah England, Computer Science Teacher (Grades K-5)
Harris Elementary School, Carly Spivey, 1st Grade Teacher
Head Elementary School, Rachel Stallworth, 1st Grade Teacher
Hopkins Elementary School, Dr. Melissa L. Cable, Science and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)
Hull Middle School, Kanisha Sherman, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 6)
International Transition Center, Andrea Anderson, Mathematics and Ecology Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Ivy Creek Elementary School, Angela Williams, Dual Language Immersion Teacher – Language Arts and Social Studies – English (Kindergarten)
Jackson Elementary School, Sara Hersch, 4th Grade Teacher
Jenkins Elementary School, Stacey Lackey, Kindergarten Teacher
Jones Middle School, Alyson Carroll, Special Education Teacher – Emotional Behavioral Disorder – Core Subjects and Affective Skills (Grades 6-8)
Jordan Middle School, Vonda Smalls, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grade 7)
Kanoheda Elementary School, Pamela Singh, Special Education Teacher – Specific Learning Disabilities (Grade 2)
Knight Elementary School, Verenice Romo, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)
Lanier High School, Jordan Brannen, AP U.S. History Teacher (Grade 11)
Lanier Middle School, Angelique Sharpe, Algebra I Teacher (Grade 8)
Lawrenceville Elementary School, Katie Rawlins, 2nd Grade Teacher
Level Creek Elementary School, Stacey Speicher, 2nd Grade Teacher
Lilburn Elementary School, Kemmer Tsirigos, 1st Grade Teacher
Lilburn Middle School, LaTonja DeCambre, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 8)
Lovin Elementary School, Vema Edwards, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grades K-2)
Magill Elementary School, Suzette Kinsey, Kindergarten Teacher
Mason Elementary School, Kumari A. Baker, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grades K-5)
Maxwell High School of Technology, Brandon Myers, Career and Technical Education Teacher – Manufacturing (Grades 10-12)
McClure Health Science High School, Katie Kangas, Algebra I and AP Statistics Teacher (Grades 9-12)
McConnell Middle School, Toosdhi Ashley, Physical Science Teacher (Grade 8)
McKendree Elementary School, Amanda Rowberry, 5th Grade Teacher
Meadowcreek Elementary School, Crisleyda Almonte, Dual Language Immersion Teacher – Mathematics and Science – Spanish (Grade 2)
Meadowcreek High School, Wanda L. Moon, Accelerated Geometry, Pre-calculus, and AP Calculus AB Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Mill Creek High School, Laurel Christopher, Economics Teacher (Grade 12)
Minor Elementary School, Jessica Carlson, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grades K and 1)
Moore Middle School, Sonta Murray, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 7)
Mountain Park Elementary School, Emily McGilvray, 4th Grade Teacher
Mountain View High School, Gretchen Galvin, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 4) (Grades 9-12)
Mulberry Elementary School, Terry Spalding, Speech-Language Pathologist (Grades K-5)
Nesbit Elementary School, Monique DePass, Kindergarten Teacher
Norcross Elementary School, Dr. LaTonya Parker, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)
Norcross High School, Maria Peña, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 10)
North Gwinnett High School, John Rhilinger, Latin Teacher (Grades 9-12)
North Gwinnett Middle School, Jenny Stark, Media Specialist (Grades 6-8)
Northbrook Middle School, Tricia Boston, Visual Arts Teacher (Grades 6-8)
Norton Elementary School, Dr. LaDonna Hollis, 4th Grade Teacher
Oakland Meadow School, Sandra Lisic, Special Education Teacher – Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities (Grades 9-12)
Osborne Middle School, Nicole Merrill, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource – Language Arts (Grade 7)
Parkview High School, Anela Buljubasic, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 9)
Parsons Elementary School, Sheri Phillips, Speech-Language Pathologist (Pre-K)
Partee Elementary School, Tonya Merl, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)
Patrick Elementary School, James Mack, Special Education Teacher – Emotional Behavioral Disorder (Grades 3-5)
Paul Duke STEM High School, Brooke Skelton, Career and Technical Education Teacher – Audio-Visual Technology and Film (Grades 9-12)
Peachtree Elementary School, Yuenye Yolanda Sato, 5th Grade Teacher
Peachtree Ridge High School, Dr. Andy Edwards, Music Technology Teacher (Grades 9-12)
Pharr Elementary School, Heather Perry, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1) (Grades K-3)
Phoenix High School, Paige Lutes, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 11)
Pinckneyville Middle School, Josie Ebert, Algebra I and Accelerated Algebra I Teacher (Grade 8)
Puckett’s Mill Elementary School, Kelly Powell, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)
Radloff Middle School, Demetrius Polk, Social Studies Teacher (Grades 6-8)
Richards Middle School, Lauren Glover, Gifted Mathematics Teacher (Grade 7)
Riverside Elementary School, Rita Arsenault, Kindergarten Teacher
Roberts Elementary School, Shea Criss, 2nd Grade Teacher
Rock Springs Elementary School, Leigh Ann Lacey, Kindergarten Teacher
Rockbridge Elementary School, Sahar Samani, STEM Teacher (Grades K-5)
Rosebud Elementary School, Monica Manis, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)
Shiloh Elementary School, Racquel Samuels, Kindergarten Teacher
Shiloh High School, Dr. Krystal Tomlin, Career and Technical Education Teacher – Essentials of Healthcare and Pharmacy (Grades 9-12)
Shiloh Middle School, Alexis Paige Pritchett, Physical Science Teacher (Grade 8)
Simonton Elementary School, Traci Rojo, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)
Simpson Elementary School, Nicole Charloff, 2nd Grade Teacher
Snellville Middle School, Lynn Thacker, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource – Mathematics and Science (Grade 7)
South Gwinnett High School, Kandra Malone, Career and Technical Education Teacher – Business and Marketing Education (Grades 9-12)
Starling Elementary School, Heather C. Lewis, 1st Grade Teacher
Stripling Elementary School, Melanie Owens, Kindergarten Teacher
Sugar Hill Elementary School, Margaret Tontillo, Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science Teacher (Grade 4)
Summerour Middle School, Edith Holbrook Riehm, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 8)
Suwanee Elementary School, Karen Phillips, STEM Teacher (Grades K-5)
Sweetwater Middle School, Justice Ejike, Physical Science Teacher (Grade 8)
Sycamore Elementary School, Cynthia Bennett, Science and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 5)
Taylor Elementary School, Nancy Blumenthal, Reading Recovery and Early Intervention Program Teacher (Grade 1)
Trickum Middle School, Bianca Woods, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 6)
Trip Elementary School, Amanda Dysart, Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)
Twin Rivers Middle School, Andrew Cox, Science Teacher (Grade 8)
Walnut Grove Elementary School, Laurie Rundqwist, STEM Teacher (Grades K-5)
White Oak Elementary School, Melissa Neely, Local School Technology Coordinator (Grades K-5)
Winn Holt Elementary School, Becca Brown, 4th Grade Teacher
Woodward Mill Elementary School, Monica Gassman, Local School Technology Coordinator (Grades K-5)
Source: GCPS
The investment will transform the campus and elevate student experiences
Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) has announced an investment of over $30 million in facilities and program improvements at GAC, made possible through the Light the Way Campaign, a visionary initiative designed to elevate the educational experience for generations of students.
This transformative campaign will fund a dozen renovation and building projects that reflect GAC’s commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world while deepening the school’s strong Christian foundation. The school recently shared details about some of the program’s key projects.
The Tidwell Commons
At the heart of the campaign is the Jim & Julie Tidwell Commons, a dynamic hub for middle and high school students to gather, collaborate and innovate.
The Tidwell Commons will feature a new student-run coffee shop and bistro, the new Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, a creative media production studio and modern academic spaces, including an enhanced library and academic support areas. The space will also be home to Christian Life and Missions, providing a cornerstone for nurturing faith and spiritual growth within the GAC community.
“The Tidwell Commons will be more than a facility; it will serve as a hub where ideas come to life, equipping students with real-world skills in business, innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Paul Cable, GAC’s high school principal.
The Combee Elementary Complex
The Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex will undergo a complete redesign to better support the needs of today’s students. Renovations will include flexible, modern classrooms, enhanced STEM and outdoor learning spaces and a state-of-the-art engineering, science and design lab.
“This renovation will not only modernize the Combee Elementary Complex but will also create an inspiring and secure environment where our younger learners can thrive and grow, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and student well-being,” said Rhonda Helms, lower school principal.
Athletic improvements
The campaign also includes a new Athletic Field House to support GAC’s soccer, tennis, baseball, softball and girls flag football programs. Featuring locker rooms, training and meeting spaces and upgraded amenities, it will serve as a modern space for game-day operations and practices.
“This is a premier facility that will allow our athletes to compete at the highest level,” shared Athletic Director Tim Hardy.
In addition to the Field House, GAC is renovating and doubling the space in the Naik Athletic Training Center, further strengthening one of the top performance training programs in the state.
“Our performance training program is among the best in Georgia, and these upgrades will align our facilities with the excellence of our programming,” Hardy said.
The expanded training center will feature state-of-the-art performance training equipment, a dedicated speed and agility area and a new recovery suite.
“This space will give our athletes the tools they need to recover efficiently and perform at their peak,” he added.
Wood Family Treehouse
Additionally, the new Wood Family Treehouse and Canopy Walk, which was completed last month, will inspire and elevate students’ outdoor learning experiences for years to come.
Designed as a versatile hub for group learning, hands-on activities and after-school programs, the Treehouse is an exciting space for educational growth, exploration and team-building. It’s a place where students can connect with nature, develop new skills and deepen their love for the outdoors.
An investment in the future
This investment campaign is about more than just buildings though; each project focuses on today’s students as well as future generations, ensuring that GAC remains a beacon of excellence with a foundation of faith for years to come.
Through the Light the Way Campaign, students will benefit from improvements in academics, athletics, the arts, community and Christian faith.
About Greater Atlanta Christian School
Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) is one of Atlanta’s largest Christian schools, serving over 1,800 PK-12 students. The walkable 90-acre campus is located in Norcross, just off of I-85 and Indian Trail Road.
GAC provides an array of in-person, online and hybrid options with over 65 STEM courses, 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual college credit courses and personalized and project-based learning.
In addition to forward thinking innovation, GAC students benefit from caring, responsive teaching and small class sizes.
GAC is a faith-infused, academically rich community, ranking at the top of the state for teaching quality, arts and athletics.
For more information, visit greateratlantachristian.org.
Since the opening of the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) in 2018, their students have been immersed in Japanese language and culture, including starting each new year (osho-gatsu) — Japan’s most important holiday — with two traditional rituals: Kakizome (New Year Japanese calligraphy) and Mochitsuki (New Year rice pounding).
This year, the students at the K-6 dual-language school in Peachtree Corners, gathered in the gym to practice and demonstrate their growing calligraphy skills and again outdoors a couple of weeks later for the physical fun of mochitsuki.
Kakizome
Literally translated as “first writing,” kakizome is a form of artistic calligraphy of the Japanese language that’s done at the start of each year to express hopes and positive wishes for the year ahead. Using traditional calligraphy brushes and ink, and often expressed through poetry, New Year’s resolutions or an auspicious word, kakizome is a special time to clear your mind and focus on the brush strokes.
According to a press release from the school, for ICAGeorgia’s kakizome event, each student, including the youngest kindergartners, used a traditional brush (ふで) and ink (すみ) to write a Japanese word of their choice — for example, “新年 (new year)” “元日 (New Years Day)” or “もち (mochi).”And, because 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the lunar calendar, 巳 (snake) was included in the word selection.
Mochitsuki
“In Japan, people make ‘mochi’ or pounded rice to celebrate the New Year,” shared Junko Jones, CFO of ICAGeorgia. “Mochi is sticky, so people eat it to help them ‘stick’ with their goals for the year — and they do it with family, friends and people in the community who they would like to ‘stick’ together [with]. Mochi can also be used as a decoration for New Year’s celebrations.”
Pounding the sticky rice into mochi with a wooden mallet is hard work, but the celebration is also one of Japan’s most fun (and popular) traditions.
For the school’s mochitsuki event, each student had an opportunity to pound and taste the mochi rice. All of the ingredients were donated by ICAGeorgia parents, and the mochi rice was cooked by ICAGeorgia parent volunteers on the day of the event — making it true school community celebration.
After pounding the rice, students, staff and volunteers enjoyed delicious rice cakes (omochi) together, welcoming the new year and looking forward to a happy and successful 2025.
About ICAGeorgia
The International Charter Academy of Georgia offers a dual language immersion program in English and Japanese, allowing students to learn both languages through a variety of subjects, including math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Japanese instruction is based on the Japanese Ministry of Education curriculum, and teachers collaborate across departments.
The school’s mission is “to broaden the horizons of students in Georgia so that they may become global citizens who promote peace throughout the world.” This is achieved not only through language learning, but also through cultural activities. But the best way to promote peace and understanding is through interactions among the students themselves, who make up an extremely diverse community.
For more information, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.
Photos courtesy of ICAGeorgia.
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