Six Gwinnett Teacher of the Year Finalists Named

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — The list of finalists for Gwinnett County's Teacher of the Year honor has been narrowed down to six.

Gwinnett County Public Schools announced the short-list on its Facebook page Wednesday afternoon.

The finalists are:

• Brittany Mayweather of Mulberry Elementary School – 4th Grade Teacher
• Jamie Lynn McFarland of Rock Springs Elementary School – Special Education Teacher – Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities (Grades 3-5)
• Brian Sinyard of Chattahoochee Elementary School – 4th Grade Teacher
• Lisa Hamilton of Pinckneyville Middle School –Social Studies Teacher (Grade 8)
• Alex Robson of GIVE Center West – Language Arts Teacher (Grades 6 and 7)
• Luke Smith of Norcross High School – Algebra II Teacher (Grade 11)

The six had been on a list of 25 semifinalists — 15 elementary, five middle and five high school teachers. They were all selected from an initial list of 135 individual school Teachers of the Year, nominated by their colleagues.

A committee made up of teachers, central office personnel and administrators considered the semifinalists’ applications and answers to a set of questions in order to determine the six finalists.

Committee members will now make site visits to the classrooms of the group of finalists and conduct thorough interviews with each educator.

This year's Teacher of the Year will be announced in November at an annual banquet.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Public Schools