Dacula Educators Among Teacher of Year Semifinalists

Gwinnett County Public Schools announced the names of the semifinalists for the school system’s 2015-16 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year award.

The group consists of 15 elementary, five middle, and five high school teachers, narrowed from the initial list of 134 teachers nominated by their local schools.

The Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year will be announced in November.

Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year semifinalists

• Trent Alexander of Lawrenceville Elementary— 5th Grade Teacher- Mathematics and Science
• Lindsey Brouillard of Discovery High— Literature and Composition Teacher (Grade 9)
• Kristen Carter of Archer High— AP Physics Teacher (Grades 11 and 12)
• Deborah Talley Clinkscales of Puckett’s Mill Elementary— 5th Grade Teacher
• Trisha Connor of Harbins Elementary— STEM Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Jon-Paul Coutourier of Graves Elementary— 5th Grade Teacher
• Janelle Draper of White Oak Elementary— 4th Grade Teacher
• Whitney Duncan of Bay Creek Middle— Orchestra Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Nyana Genama of Britt Elementary— 1st Grade Teacher
• Shaketa Gillard of Partee Elementary— Instructional Coach - Mathematics (Grades K-5)
• Emily Heend of Phoenix High— Mathematics Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Monica Peters Jones of Pharr Elementary— Kindergarten Teacher
• Steve Kuninsky of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology— AP Biology Teacher (Grade 10)
• Dr. Myra Lynn McCurry of Walnut Grove Elementary— Music Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Alix McHardy of Norcross High— AP Chemistry, Chemistry, and Biology Teacher (Grades 9-12)
• Kelly Mraz of Head Elementary— Music Teacher (Grades K-5)
• John Rhilinger of North Gwinnett Middle— Latin Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Athena Roberts of Mulberry Elementary— 3rd Grade Teacher
• Jeane Sammons of Brookwood Elementary— 4th Grade Teacher
• Jennifer W. Sevier of Dacula Middle— Science Teacher (Grade 7)
• Stephanie Smith of Jenkins Elementary— 5th Grade Teacher
• Erin Springthorpe of Gwinnett Online Campus— 8th grade Physical Science and 9-12 CP & Honors Chemistry
• Felisha Strong of Richards Middle— Reading Connections Teacher (Grades 6-8)
• Joe Frank Uriz of Baggett Elementary— Spanish Teacher (Grades K-5)
• Suzanne Vogt of Meadowcreek Elementary— Early Intervention Program Teacher- Reading and Mathematics (Grades K and 2)