Every year, local schools honor educators dedicated to their students and their profession by naming a teacher of the year. These teachers exemplify a commitment to education. 

Buford City Schools announced its 2024 teachers of the year for its respective schools: 

• Tracy Gilmore, an interventionist at Buford Elementary School
• Natalie Wade, a third grade teacher at Buford Academy
• Lauren Tsouchlos, a special education teacher at Buford Senior Academy
• Abbi Jones, a seventh grade science teacher at Buford Middle School
• Amy Lister, a language arts teacher at Buford High School

Buford City Schools named Tsouchlos its system-wide teacher of the year for 2024. 

Gwinnett County Public Schools announced the following educators in the Lanier cluster of schools have been recognized as teachers of the year: 

• Lanier High School – Larry Layfield II, chemistry and food science teacher
• Lanier Middle School – Jessica Ashley, seventh grade life science teacher
• Sugar Hill Elementary School – Michelle Ruhl, computer technology teacher
• Sycamore Elementary School – Paul Chong, fifth grade mathematics and science teacher
• White Oak Elementary School – Seth Kuehn, music teacher

The following educators have been named teachers of the year for North Gwinnett cluster schools: 

• North Gwinnett High School – Lindsay Davis, AP seminar and internship teacher
• North Gwinnett Middle School – Scott Kim, eighth grade accelerated geometry teacher
• Level Creek Elementary School – Jessica Richter, third grade teacher 
• Riverside Elementary School – MyKenya Hester, fourth grade reading, writing and social studies teacher
• Roberts Elementary School – Lisa Reynolds, second grade teacher
• Suwanee Elementary School – Julie Gaines, first grade teacher

 “To be named a local school Teacher of the Year is a huge honor,” said Dr. Nikki Mouton, deputy superintendent of academic services for Gwinnett County Public Schools. “GCPS is filled with outstanding teachers, so to be honored by your peers as one of the best of the best is truly special and speaks volumes about the value they bring to students and the school community.

“These leaders model day in and day out what it means to be an excellent, effective, and empathic teacher who addresses the needs of each and every student,” Mouton continued. “It is a pleasure to celebrate these professionals who are contributing so much not only to our schools, but to our community and society as they prepare students for tomorrow.”