Gwinnett County schools: Meet your 6 'Teacher of the Year' finalists
Gwinnett County schools announced their six Teacher of the Year finalists Wednesday. From top left: Lisa Hamilton of Pinckneyville Middle; Brittany Mayweather of Mulberry Elementary; Jamie Lynn McFarland of Rock Springs Elementary; Alex Robson of GIVE Center West; Brian Sinyard of Chattahoochee Elementary; and Luck Smith of Norcross High. (Credit: Gwinnett County Public Schools)
The winner will be announced at a Nov. 10 banquet at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth.
Read more about each of the finalists below.
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Lisa Hamilton, Pinckneyville Middle School, 8th grade social studies
According to the school district:
In her 8th grade social studies classroom, Lisa Hamilton embraces a theme of empowerment. She explains, “The philosophy of my teaching and learning is, ‘We are the Makers of History.’ From the first day of school to the last time they walk out of my classroom, this is what my students are told. I strive to instill this belief of empowerment all year so my students never forget their power to remake circumstances and improve the world around them.”
Hamilton's teaching career began in 2012 in Nashville. Prior to that, she worked as an education facilitator for the Smithsonian Institution.
In her 4th grade classroom, Brittany Mayweather strives to provide a student-centered learning environment that fosters the development of the “whole child,” empowering her students as learners and prepping them to be informed and influential citizens of our community.
She explains, “The components of my teaching philosophy involve dimensions of ‘whole child’ learning like physical, mental, emotional, and social development. Each component intertwines itself in my personal teaching style, and makes my learning environment a particularly unique one that fosters intelligence and character development.”
Mayweather started her career at Bethesda Elementary School in 2010. She transferred to Mulberry Elementary in 2014.
Jamie Lynn McFarland, Rock Springs Elementary School, students with severe and profound intellectual disabilities
According to the school district:
Most of Jamie Lynn McFarland’s students and their families come into the school system having only heard of the things they cannot do and things they will never do. Her philosophy as a special education teacher is to treat her students and their families like they are important, like she believes in them, and like anything is possible for them.
She says, “My personal teaching style has developed out of my belief that nothing is impossible for my students, no matter what their diagnosis may be or what doctors may have said in the past. My students may not learn to do things in the same way as their typically developing peers, but I am committed to figuring out a way for them to be involved and a way for them to learn.”
McFarland began teaching with a preschool special education program during the summer of 2011. She joined Rock Springs Elementary that August.
Brian Sinyard, Chattahoochee Elementary School, 4th grade
According to the school district:
Brian Sinyard is a 4th grade teacher whose classroom presents unique opportunities for students’ individual learning styles to be celebrated and nurtured. One way he does this is by presenting scenarios that are relevant to students’ own lives.
He says, “Building relationships with my students and their parents is the cornerstone of my personal teaching style. For my students to succeed, I believe they must feel capable in their learning processes, connected to the classroom environment, and like consistently contributing members of the classroom community.”
Sinyard began his teaching career at Rockbridge Elementary in 2003. He joined Chattahoochee Elementary in 2013.
Alex Robson, GIVE Center West, 6th and 7th grade language arts
According to the school district:
Alex Robson’s students typically end up in his class because of disciplinary challenges. His classroom at GIVE Center West is their second chance. His goal is to give students hope, and, in turn, they give him hope.
Mr. Robson explains his dedication to his students, saying, “They are the rule breakers; the students who think differently. I believe they are the future leaders and innovators because they are not afraid to break the rules… As a teacher I need to help these student express themselves in an appropriate way.” At times he has been asked if he would rather work with other students and his response is emphatic. “I would never give up my students’ rebellious attitudes,” he says. “These are the students I have been waiting for— these are the students who will change the world.”
Robson's education career began as a language arts tutor in 2013. He joined GIVE Center West the following year.
Luke Smith, Norcross High School, Algebra II/11th grade math
According to the school district:
Luke Smith firmly believes that all students need a positive relationship with their teacher and that all students can learn at high levels with necessary teacher expectations, differentiated instruction, and academic support.
He says, “The greatest advantage you can have as a teacher is to create a personal relationship with your students… Making an investment in their personal life allows me to connect with them and ultimately help hold them accountable for the things they enjoy… Ultimately, the main goal of creating a relationship is to gain an understanding of their future goals and aspirations and to be a positive adult in support of their dreams. There is nothing better than unlocking a student’s potential for the future because you know and care about them.”
Smith's teaching career began in 2009 and he worked in Clarke and Henry counties before joining Norcross High in 2013.
Tyler Estep hosts the AJC Win Column, Atlanta's new weekly destination for all things sports. He also shepherds the Sports Daily and Braves Report newsletters to your inbox.
Tyler Estep hosts the AJC Win Column, Atlanta's new weekly destination for all things sports. He also shepherds the Sports Daily and Braves Report newsletters to your inbox.
