CCSD Announces 2025 School Teacher of the Year Winners

This photo collage shows just a few of our amazing school winners.

Congratulations to the Cherokee County School District’s 2025 School Teachers of the Year winners!

Every school year, every CCSD school’s teachers and staff are asked to select a Teacher of the Year for their school.  These school-level winners now are eligible for the honor of Cherokee County School District 2025 Teacher of the Year. 
 
Congratulations to CCSD’s 2025 School Teachers of the Year:

ACTIVE Academies: Leigh Ann Powell
Arnold Mill ES: Katelyn Sugar
Avery ES: Jeanne Adams
Ball Ground ES STEM Academy: Kathryn Smerker
Bascomb ES: Tammy Videkovich
Boston ES: Samantha Wasdin
Carmel ES: Lisa Clay
CCSD Preschool Centers: Jennifer Garland
Cherokee HS: Morgan Clifton
Clark Creek ES STEM Academy: Joy Williams
Clayton ES: Linda Postell
Creekland MS: Dr. Jennifer Denereaz
Creekview HS: Rob Ware
Dean Rusk MS: Courtney Helmuth
E.T. Booth MS: Coury Frush
Etowah HS: Brandon Johnson
Free Home ES: Erin Thomas
Freedom MS: Jennifer Brewer
Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy: Dr. Lisa Spence
Hickory Flat ES: Michelle Kozak
Holly Springs ES STEM Academy: Tammie Rice
Indian Knoll ES: Rebecca Moore
Johnston ES: Sarah Gunn
Knox ES STEM Academy: Nicole Waldrep
Liberty ES: Erika Dunn
Little River ES: Candida McClairen
Macedonia ES: Alexandra Fann
Mill Creek MS: Heather Pappas
Mountain Road ES: Kelly Haymond
Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy: Carrie Walker
R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy: Amber McFarland
River Ridge HS: Erin Heinzer
Sequoyah HS: Dr. Cathy Murphy
Sixes ES: Pamela Williams
Teasley MS: Alice Lamb
Tippens Education Center: Kelly Robertson
Woodstock ES: Madison Setchell
Woodstock HS: Kellie Jo Baglio
Woodstock MS: BJ Mazza

The districtwide competition is judged by a panel of retired educators and community partners based on applications submitted by the school-level winners.  Four CCSD Finalists will be announced next month by the Superintendent of Schools.  They, along with all school winners, will be honored at the Legacy Makers: CCSD Teachers of the Year Celebration this spring at which the CCSD 2025 Teacher of the Year will be announced.  The overall CCSD winner will be entered into the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition.

The annual Legacy Makers celebration, and gifts presented to the honorees, are sponsored by Presenting Sponsors: Cherokee County Educational Foundation, Credit Union of Georgia, Northside Hospital Cherokee and Shottenkirk Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram of Canton.  Additional financial and in-kind sponsorship opportunities are available; interested businesses and organizations are encouraged to please contact Penny Dempsey at penny.dempsey@cherokeek12.net or 770.479.1871.

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