Gwinnett Names 2020-2021 Teachers Of The Year For Dacula

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — Gwinnett County announced Friday each school’s Teacher of the Year for 2020, including teachers from Dacula schools.

“In light of the unique challenges our teachers faced this year, we wanted more than ever to show our love, support, and appreciation to our teachers,” said Dr. Clay Hunter, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instructional support for Gwinnett County Public Schools. “These educators are the best of the best and they shine every day in the classroom, online, and in our community.”

Hunter added that Gwinnett County planned to honor its teachers this year even though the state had chosen to suspend its Teacher of the Year selection for now.

These 139 local school honorees will advance to the next phase of the process as they are considered for the systemwide honor. Later in October, this group will be narrowed down to 25 semifinalists. From that group, six finalists will be chosen in early November. On December 10, Gwinnett’s school system will host a virtual celebration honoring this year’s finalists and naming the top teacher in Gwinnett County.

Teachers of the year in Dacula are:

• Alcova Elementary School, Yvonda Thomas, Gifted Education Teacher – Language Arts (Grades 1-5)
• Dacula Elementary School, Stephanie Malley, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Dacula High School, Byron Wilson, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 3) (Grades 9-12)
• Dacula Middle School, Thelma Sanford, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 7)
• Dyer Elementary School, Matt Bonk, Kindergarten Teacher
• Fort Daniel Elementary School, Heather Thorpe, 5th Grade Teacher
• Harbins Elementary School, Melissa Barth, 2nd Grade Teacher
• Puckett’s Mill Elementary School, Jill McKee, Special Education Teacher – Moderate Intellectual Disabilities (Grades 4 and 5)

Teachers of the year elsewhere in Gwinnett County are:

AUBURN

• Mulberry Elementary School, Virginia Dreybus, Reading Recovery and 1st Grade Teacher

BUFORD

• Harmony Elementary School, Jennifer Branch, Kindergarten Teacher
• Ivy Creek Elementary School, Samantha Carr, Dual Language Immersion Teacher – Language Arts and Social Studies – English (Grade 2)
• Jones Middle School, Autumn Sutton, Computer Science and Digital Technology Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Lanier High School, Collin Jones, History Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Lanier Middle School, Dena Dale, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 7)
• Patrick Elementary School, DeeDee Thomas, 2nd Grade Teacher
• Twin Rivers Middle School, Katy Bettencourt, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)

DULUTH

• Berkeley Lake Elementary School, Melissa Redner, 5th Grade Teacher )
• Chattahoochee Elementary School, Stephanie Kennedy, 5th Grade Teacher
• Chesney Elementary School, Ji Park, 5th Grade Teacher
• Coleman Middle School, Kelley Curtiss Donovan, Humanities Teacher (Grade 6)
• Duluth High School, Whitley Arens Parker, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 4) and Interrelated Resource (Grades 10-12)
• Duluth Middle School, Alynna Nguyen, Accelerated Mathematics Teacher (Grade 7)
• Duncan Creek Elementary School, Beth McDowell, Gifted Education and Advanced Content Mathematics Teacher (Grades 1, 2, 3, and 5)
• Ferguson Elementary School, Carol Patricia Grey, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grades 1-3)
• Harris Elementary School, Kelcey M. Chancey, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Hull Middle School, Jacqueline Hall, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 8)
• Mason Elementary School, Katherine Wasson, 5th Grade Teacher
• McClure Health Science High School, Dr. Leslie Dunham, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, and Physics Teacher (Grades 11 and 12)
• Radloff Middle School, Dr. Derrick Cunningham, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 8)

GRAYSON

• Bay Creek Middle School, Janet Donnelly, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 7)
• Couch Middle School, Carrie Harrison, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 3) (Grades 6-8)
• Grayson Elementary School, Ferdye Bamaca-Forkel, 1st Grade Teacher
• Grayson High School, Devine Wright, Language Arts Teacher (Grades 11 and 12)
• Starling Elementary School, Teresa R. Blackman, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Trip Elementary School, Courtney L. Smith, Music Teacher (Grades K-5)

HOSCHTON

• Mill Creek High School, Ashley Farrington, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1) (Grades 9-12)
• Osborne Middle School, Beckie Fulcher, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 7)

LAWRENCEVILLE

• Alford Elementary School, Kaitlin Isabelle, Gifted Education Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Archer High School, David Nelson, AP and Honors Physics Teacher (Grade 11)
• Baggett Elementary School, Vandana Bhagat, Technology Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Benefield Elementary School, Tiffany Suzette Nelson, English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Bethesda Elementary School, Ronelle Nelson, 1st Grade Teacher
• Cedar Hill Elementary School, Marcia Place, 5th Grade Teacher
• Central Gwinnett High School, Kelsey Allen, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 9)
• Corley Elementary School, Stephanie M. Shane, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grade 5)
• Craig Elementary School, Dorrie Gann, Media Specialist (Grades K-5)
• Creekland Middle School, Leslie Crider, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 7)
• Crews Middle School, Dr. Kinsey Edwards, Orchestra Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Discovery High School, Diane E. Sullivan, Theatre and Peer Leadership Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Five Forks Middle School, Julianne Purnell, Health Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Freeman's Mill Elementary School, Sandy Sproles, 2nd Grade Teacher
• GIVE Center East, Sha-Von Valentine, Special Education Teacher – Language Arts (Grade 11)
• Gwin Oaks Elementary School, Jennifer Mimms, Local School Technology Coordinator (Grades K-5)
• Gwinnett Online Campus, Elizabeth Lorimer, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)
• Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Laura Gray, Mathematics and Computer Science Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• International Transition Center, Mary Stoikov, English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher– World History and U.S. History (Grades 9-11)
• Jackson Elementary School, Audrey Massey, 1st Grade Teacher
• Jenkins Elementary School, Teosha Teasley, 5th Grade Teacher
• Jordan Middle School, Shannon Haney, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 8)
• Kanoheda Elementary School, Chloe Franklin, 1st Grade Teacher
• Lawrenceville Elementary School, Juliann Terrell, Media Specialist (Grades K-5)
• Lovin Elementary School, Kinsley Compton, Spanish Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Maxwell High School of Technology, Linda Minor, Academies and Career and Technical Education Teacher – Flight Operations Pathway (Grades 10-12)
• McKendree Elementary School, Keona Doughty, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 3)
• Moore Middle School, Choy Roberts, Algebra I Teacher (Grade 8)
• Mountain View High School, Danielle Jenkins, Special Education Teacher – Moderate Intellectual Disabilities (Grades 9-12+)
• Phoenix High School, Matt Rooks, History Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Richards Middle School, Dre Reaves, Science Teacher (Grade 6)
• Rock Springs Elementary School, Adrian Wilkins, Special Education Teacher – Significant Developmental Delay (Kindergarten)
• Simonton Elementary School, Derica Sherrer, 5th Grade Teacher
• Sweetwater Middle School, Jason Tyler, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 8)
• Taylor Elementary School, Judi Morrison, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grades 3 and 4)
• Winn Holt Elementary School, Lindsay Fidanza, 1st Grade Teacher
• Woodward Mill Elementary School, Laura Philmon, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grade 4)

LILBURN

• Arcado Elementary School, Kathryn M. Honea, 5th Grade Teacher
• Berkmar High School, Dr. Jessica Ewalt, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, and AP Research Teacher (Grade 12)
• Berkmar Middle School, Matthew Pelli, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 2) (Grades 6-8
• Camp Creek Elementary School, Madison Pogue, 4th Grade Teacher
• Head Elementary School, Kelly Duggan, Local School Technology Coordinator
• Hopkins Elementary School, Janet Kim, 1st Grade Teacher
• Knight Elementary School, Olivia Boza, 2nd Grade Teacher
• Lilburn Elementary School, Lena Alonso, Special Education Teacher – Interrelated Resource (Grade 5)
• Lilburn Middle School, Naveed A. Khan, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 6)
• Minor Elementary School, Sara Welp, 5th Grade Teacher
• Mountain Park Elementary School, Katrina Tucker, 1st Grade Teacher
• Parkview High School, Heather Baug Graham, Language Arts Teacher (Grades 9 and 11)
• Trickum Middle School, Kelsi Carter Hamilton, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)

LOGANVILLE

• Cooper Elementary School, Beth Stetter, Kindergarten Teacher
• Grace Snell Middle School, Benjamin Beitzel, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 8)
• Magill Elementary School, Katelyn McClure, 2nd Grade Teacher
• McConnell Middle School, Rebecca Gandy, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 2) (Grades 6-8)
• Rosebud Elementary School, Jennifer Ritter, Kindergarten Teacher
• Walnut Grove Elementary School, Ashley Garcia, Mathematics Teacher (Grade 5)

NORCROSS

• Baldwin Elementary School, Jennifer Ko, 1st Grade Teacher
• Beaver Ridge Elementary School, Rachel Middleton, 1st Grade Teacher
• GIVE Center West, Erica Freeman-Jones, Language Arts Teacher (Grades 8 and 9)
• Graves Elementary School, La’Bria Monae Hannah, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Meadowcreek Elementary School, Erica Lloyd, Instructional Coach (Grades K-5)
• Meadowcreek High School, Richard Tilford, Special Education Teacher – Science and Interrelated Resource (Grades 11 and 12)
• Norcross Elementary School, Kalena M. Bennett, 4th Grade Teacher
• Norcross High School, Sarah Miller, Local School Technology Coordinator
• Paul Duke STEM High School, Philip Peavy, Cybersecurity and Game Design Teacher (Grades 10-12)
• Rockbridge Elementary School, Georgia O’Connor, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Stripling Elementary School, Lisa Stubbs, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Summerour Middle School, Nancy Ortiz-Daley, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 6)

PEACHTREE CORNERS

• Peachtree Elementary School, Kelly Sibley, Reading Recovery and English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (Grades 1-3)
• Pinckneyville Middle School, Dennise Peagler, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)
• Simpson Elementary School, Sarah Mazzatta, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 3) (Kindergarten and Grade 1)

SNELLVILLE

• Anderson-Livsey Elementary School, Penny Dalin, 4th Grade Teacher
• Annistown Elementary School, Tracy Clarke, 1st Grade Teacher
• Britt Elementary School, Kasshavin Clemons, Language Arts and Mathematics Teacher (Grade 3)
• Brookwood Elementary School, Allison Huckle, 1st Grade Teacher
• Brookwood High School, Danielle Kaiser, History Teacher (Grades 11 and 12)
• Centerville Elementary School, Ontoya Fowler, 1st Grade Teacher
• Norton Elementary School, Catrice Byrd-Pippens, Special Education Teacher (Pre-K)
• Oakland Meadow School, Angela Lamont, Special Education Teacher – Visual Impairment (Grades Pre-K-12+)
• Partee Elementary School, Mona Brawley, STEAM Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Pharr Elementary School, Alicia Lyman, Special Education Teacher – Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 2) (Grades K-2)
• Shiloh Elementary School, Sheila Rogers, Kindergarten Teacher
• Shiloh High School, Cynthia Onyebuchi, Special Education Teacher – Science (Grades 9-12)
• Shiloh Middle School, Jairus E. Hallums, Language Arts Teacher (Grade 8)
• Snellville Middle School, Bryant Poss, Media Specialist (Grades 6-8)
• South Gwinnett High School, Danielle Swaby, Work-Based Learning Teacher (Grades 11 and 12)

SUGAR HILL

• North Gwinnett Middle School, Beth Cure, Algebra I Teacher (Grade 8)
• Sugar Hill Elementary School, Katie Blum, 2nd Grade Teacher
• Sycamore Elementary School, Amy Stout, Instructional Coach (Grades 2-5)
• White Oak Elementary School, Kristy Shea, 1st Grade Teacher

SUWANEE

• Buice Center, Dr. Melinda Horton, Special Education Teacher – STRIVE Program (Grade 12+)
• Burnette Elementary School, Tara Nolan, Special Education Teacher – Significant Developmental Delay (Kindergarten and Grade 1)
• Collins Hill High School, Hali Chase, Spanish Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Level Creek Elementary School, Amanda Flanter, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher (Grade 4)
• North Gwinnett High School, Kevin Blankenship, AP World History Teacher (Grade 10)
• Northbrook Middle School, Angelika Shelley, Social Studies Teacher (Grade 6)
• Parsons Elementary School, Lisa Isom-Jones, 1st Grade Teacher
• Peachtree Ridge High School, Nina M. Hidalgo, Spanish for Native Speakers Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Riverside Elementary School, Genny Greco, 3rd Grade Teacher
• Roberts Elementary School, Hope Russell, 1st Grade Teacher
• Suwanee Elementary School, Medina Kovacevic, Gifted Education Teacher – Language Arts (Grade 5)

TUCKER

• Nesbit Elementary School, Heather Bright, 2nd Grade Teacher