The district’s 2019-20 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year is one of 10 finalists for the state Teacher of the Year honor. Rebecca Carlisle, who is an Advanced Placement (AP) World History and STEM Humanities Teacher at North Gwinnett HS, learned the news in a surprise Zoom session on May 6.
Gwinnett County Public Schools CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks was not surprised by Mrs. Carlisle’s selection. He said, “Mrs. Carlisle’s energy in the classroom and as a school and community leader makes her stand out. Not only is she an outstanding teacher of students, she also excels at sharing her knowledge and experience with her peers. As a mentor, she models for new teachers what it means to be a quality-plus educator. In Gwinnett County Public Schools, we are proud of her accomplishments and this latest well-deserved recognition and wish her well in the next stage of the competition.”
The 10 finalists for the state honor were chosen from a pool of applicants all previously selected as their school district’s Teacher of the Year. The applications were read by a panel of judges that included teachers, past Georgia Teacher of the Year winners, administrators, community leaders and others. The finalists were chosen based on the strength of their essay responses.
In announcing this year’s finalists, State Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods said, “This is a group of creative, hardworking, talented teachers who pushed through great challenges this year to ensure students were still able to learn, connect, and grow. I am proud to call each of them my colleagues.”
Because the Georgia Teacher of the Year program was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s finalists were selected from the original 2021 cohort (those initially slated to be recognized in May 2020). This adjustment ensured that the 2021 cohort would not miss the opportunity to be recognized in the statewide program.
Finalists will meet with a panel of judges for a formal interview and give speeches virtually. The winner will be announced Aug. 7, 2021.
The 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year will travel around the state and nation, as COVID-19 protocols allow, serving as an ambassador for the teaching profession in Georgia. He or she will also be entered in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Congratulations, Mrs. Carlisle, and good luck!
Meet Rebecca Carlisle
In this GCPS TV video from the 2019-20 GCPS Teacher of the Year event, get to know Mrs. Carlisle and her teaching philosophy about “sticking it out.” This award-winning teacher fully invests in her students both in and out of the classroom. She loves bringing their thoughts to life and encourages both her students and her colleagues to reach for the stars—even when the learning gets a bit prickly!