GCPS’ field of 139 local school Teachers of the Year (TOTYs) has been narrowed to 25 semifinalists who shine bright in our classrooms! Our semifinalists—many of whom have worked their entire career in Gwinnett—can be found at every school level, in core subject areas, electives, and “specials,” new to the profession and celebrating a lengthy career. The next stage of the competition is selection of the six finalists who will be named next month. Stay tuned!
Congrats to GCPS’ TOTY semifinalists!
Yvonda Thomas of Alcova ES—Gifted Education Teacher (Grades 1-5)
Dr. Jessica Ewalt of Berkmar HS—AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, and AP Research Teacher (Grade 12)
Kelley Donovan of Coleman MS—Humanities Teacher (Grade 6)
Dr. Kinsey Edwards of Crews MS—Orchestra Teacher (Grades 6-8)
Stephanie Malley of Dacula ES—3rd Grade Teacher
Whitley Arens Parker of Duluth HS—Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 4) and Interrelated Resource (Grades 10-12)
Julianne Purnell of Five Forks MS—Health Teacher (Grades 6-8)
Heather Thorpe of Fort Daniel ES—5th Grade Teacher
La’Bria Hannah of Graves ES—3rd Grade Teacher
Ferdye Bamaca of Grayson ES—1st Grade Teacher
Melissa Barth of Harbins ES—2nd Grade Teacher
Olivia Boza of Knight ES—2nd Grade Teacher
Lena Alonso of Lilburn ES—Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grade 5)
Kinsley Compton of Lovin ES—Spanish Teacher (Grades K-5)
Dr. Leslie A. Dunham of McClure Health Science HS—AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, and Physics Teacher (Grades 11 and 12)
Angelika Shelley of Northbrook MS—Social Studies Teacher (Grade 6)
Mona Brawley of Partee ES—STEAM Teacher (Grades K-5)
Philip Peavy of Paul Duke STEM HS—Cybersecurity and Game Design Teacher (Grades 10-12)
Kelly Sibley of Peachtree ES—Reading Recovery and English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grades 1-3)
Genny Greco of Riverside ES—3rd Grade Teacher
Danielle Swaby of South Gwinnett HS—Work-Based Learning Teacher (Grades 11 and 12)
Katie Blum of Sugar Hill ES—2nd Grade Teacher
Kelsi Carter Hamilton of Trickum MS—Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)
Courtney Smith of Trip ES—Music Teacher (Grades K-5)
Kristy Shea of White Oak ES—1st Grade Teacher
Thank you to the sponsors of this year’s TOTY celebration
Presenting Sponsor:
Peach State Credit Union
Platinum Sponsors:
AIG, Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep, IBM, and Lifetouch
Gold Sponsor:
The Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED, Inc.
Silver Sponsors:
Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc., and Kroger
Bronze Sponsors:
Celia Brien