Six teachers who believe in challenging their students, and themselves, are finalists for Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year.

The finalists are:

  • Colette Grodzicki of North Gwinnett High School.
  • Randi Hill of Gwinnett Online Campus
  • Lesley McClendon of Shiloh Middle School.
  • Cindy Apley Rose of Couch Middle School.
  • Sharon Smith of Brookwood Elementary School.
  • Kishina Woolfolk of Harbins Elementary School.

The winner will be announced at a Nov. 11 banquet at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth. The winning teacher will represent Gwinnett in the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition and receive an annual award of $1,000 as long as she is employed with the district.

About the Author

Keep Reading

These kits are being distributed to public schools across Georgia to help students who suffer an opioid overdose. (Courtesy of Georgia Department of Education)

Credit: Georgia Department of Education

Featured

Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez