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 2024-2025 school year has brought exciting extracurricular additions to the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia), with the launch of new cross country and track programs.
Intended for upper-elementary and middle school students in grades 4-6, the new programs were started by Coach Shawn Nix, who joined the ICAGeorgia staff this fall. She comes to the school with 17 years of teaching experience in the Gwinnett County School System and 13 years of coaching experience. She was named Gwinnett County Coach of the Year twice during her tenure there.
Nix said that her goal in creating the cross country and track programs at ICAGeorgia was to “give students an introduction to cross country, teach them the value of teamwork and cultivate the future generation of runners.”
“The parents are thrilled about the addition of the cross country program,” she added. “They’ve expressed their excitement to me, and they are at practice and meets supporting the athletes.”
Cross country
Twenty-three academy students signed up for cross country this year, excited to be part of the inaugural team.
The season began on September 3 with the school’s first meet at Legacy Park in Decatur, where students competed in the one-mile dash against 210 other athletes from Atlanta area-schools.
Three of the school’s young athlete’s placed, with one sixth grader taking third in the girls division; another sixth grade student placing 24th in the boys division and one fourth grader placing 16th in the boys division.
They recently wrapped up the season on November 13 with a meet held at Midtown High School.
Though the season was short — most meets had already closed their entries by late August, and one meet was cancelled due to Hurricane Helene — the ICAGeorgia team was able to get in two good competitions and a lot of practice sessions.
Track season
According to Coach Nix, some students that were interested in cross country weren’t able to sign up for the team in time, but they’ve said they will be coming out for track in the spring. She’s expecting at least 20 students to join the team.
Track season begins in February, and the opening meet is scheduled for March 8at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill.
Upcoming track meets will feature the following events: long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, disc throw, 3200m, 1600m, 800m, 400m and 4×100, 400 and 800m relays.
Future plans
Following the success of the new cross country and track programs, Coach Nix shared that ICAGeorgia plans to offer more after-school sports in the near future.
“The sports we add will be gauged by an interest survey, keeping in mind the facilities we have,” she said. “But we would love to add basketball and soccer.”
For more about ICAGeorgia, visit them at internationalcharteracademy.org.
Good Samaritan Health Centers of Gwinnett (Good Samaritan Gwinnett) has received state authorization from the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC) to officially launch Access Academy, a private, certificate-granting, low-cost postsecondary education program targeting students of low-income and/or minority households who aspire to pursue careers in healthcare but may lack the financial means to attend traditional college programs.
Access Academy is designed to meet the needs of students from underserved communities, providing healthcare-specific training at a fraction of the cost, thanks to charitable donations and volunteer-based faculty support.
Access Academy will initially offer a five-month medical assistant certification program. Graduates of the program will be able to enter the workforce without the burden of student loans, directly benefiting their household income and financial well-being.
“We are thrilled to launch Access Academy and open the doors of opportunity for those who need it most,” said Shameka Allen, CEO of Good Samaritan Gwinnett. “Our mission has always been to support underserved communities, and now, with Access Academy, we can extend that impact by helping students earn their medical assistant certificates and get their start in healthcare.”
A history of mentoring and education
Good Samaritan Gwinnett has a rich history of educating undergraduate and graduate students in health sciences. Since 2012, the organization has mentored nearly 450 graduate students pursuing medical and dental professional degrees. The cost of precepting just one midlevel student for an average of 168 hours amounts to $10,038, reflecting the organization’s dedication to training and education.
Greg Lang, chief financial officer of Good Samaritan Gwinnett, spearheaded the efforts to secure state authorization and launch Access Academy.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see Access Academy come to life after months of planning and preparation,” Lang said. “Access Academy is not just providing training — it’s offering hope, opportunity and the support needed to turn dreams into reality.”
An ongoing mission
The launch of Access Academy is part of Good Samaritan Gwinnett’s ongoing mission to expand its reach and make healthcare more accessible, both by providing direct patient care and by equipping future healthcare professionals with the skills they need to succeed. Since Good Samaritan Gwinnett’s inception in 2005, more than 52,300 patients have entered the clinic more than 300,000 times.
For more information about Access Academy, visit them at goodsamgwinnett.org/access-academy or email Greg Lang at Greg.Lang@goodsamgwinnett.org.
Pinecrest Academy, a private preK3–12 Catholic school serving north metro Atlanta, has once again been named to the College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning Platinum distinction.
The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while also broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximizing college readiness.
“We are so honored to have received this AP Honor Roll Award, as we strive each year to provide every student with a college preparatory experience, which includes the successful completion of challenging AP courses,” commented Amy Bowman, Pinecrest Academy high school principal. “The Platinum designation from AP speaks to the excellence that our faculty strives for in delivering challenging content that prepares our students for college.”
The numbers
During the 2023-2024 school year, Pinecrest had 89% of seniors taking at least one AP exam during high school, 82% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam and 58% who took five or more AP exams. Twenty-one AP courses were offered, representing 30 sections taught by 12 high school teachers at the school.
“Our Class of 2024 earned a 100% acceptance into the college/university of their choice,” Bowman said. “Since the school’s first graduating class of 2007, Pinecrest’s high school has maintained a 100% graduation rate every year.”
AP Access Award
Pinecrest Academy was also awarded the AP Access Award this year. Schools on the AP School Honor Roll may earn the AP Access Award, which recognizes schools that demonstrate a clear and effective commitment to equitable access to advanced coursework.
“AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement and potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. “The schools have shown that they can expand access to these college-level courses and still drive high performance — they represent the best of our AP program.”
For more information, visit pinecrestacademy.org.
For more about the Advanced Placement® Program, visit ap.collegeboard.org.
Final Restaurants Announced for New Politan Row Food Hall at The Forum
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GAC Shares Joy of Christmas with Annual Can-A-Thon Support
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Final Restaurants Announced for New Politan Row Food Hall at The Forum
The High Museum to Showcase “Thinking Eye, Seeing Mind”
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Furkids Wraps Up Successful Year with Open House Event and More
The Dec/Jan Issue of Peachtree Corners Magazine is Out Now
Shaping Peachtree Corners: New Vision for the Central Business District [Podcast]
Light up the Corners [Video]
Capitalist Sage: Business Leadership in Your Community [Podcast]
Cliff Bramble: A Culinary Adventure through Italy
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THE CORNERS EPISODE 3 – BLAXICAN PART 1
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The ED Hour: What it takes to Remove Barriers from Education
