Gwinnett Teacher of Year says teaching special students is her calling

Jamie Lynn McFarland of Rock Springs Elementary School, Gwinnett County’s 2017 Teacher of the Year.

Jamie Lynn McFarland of Rock Springs Elementary School, Gwinnett County’s 2017 Teacher of the Year.

An elementary teacher who says teaching students with severe and profound intellectual disabilities was her "calling" has been named the 2017 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year. Jamie Lynn McFarland of Rock Springs Elementary School is the recipient of the school system's highest teaching honor. She was previously named the 2017 Gwinnett County Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She was selected as Gwinnett's top teacher from six finalists, two teachers from each level. Alex Robson of GIVE Center West was named the 2016-17 Middle School Teacher of the Year and Luke Smith of Norcross High School was presented with the 2017 High School Teacher of the Year honor. The other three finalists were Brittany Mayweather of Mulberry Elementary School, Brian Sinyard of Chattahoochee Elementary School, and Lisa Hamilton of Pinckneyville Middle School.