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Gwinnett County Public Schools

Meet the 2025 Teacher of the Year finalists!

Out of a group of 141 local school Teachers of the Year named earlier this fall, then narrowed to 25 semifinalists, a selection committee had the difficult task of selecting this year's finalists. One of these six finalists will be named Gwinnett's 2025 Teacher of the Year at a school district celebration on Dec. 7. Special thanks to this year's sponsors who make this celebration possible and help us to recognize all local school Teachers of the Year!

To learn more about our finalists and the next steps in the process, please read the news release and click on each finalist's name (below) for additional insight.

Heather Kane, Lovin Elementary School

Heather Kane
Computer Science, Pre-K - 5th Grade Teacher
Lovin Elementary School

Michelle Ruhl, Sugar Hill Elementary School

Michelle Ruhl
Computer Science, K - 5th Grade TeacherĀ 
Sugar Hill Elementary School

Treva Coates, Osborne Middle School

Treva Coates

6th - 8th Grade STEM Connections Teacher
Osborne Middle School

Michael Payen, Five Forks Middle School

Michael Payen

6th - 8th Grade Music Technology Teacher
Five Forks Middle School

Jenna Cloninger, Central Gwinnett High School

Jenna Cloninger

10th - 12th Grade Oceanography Teacher
Central Gwinnett High School

Halie Rios, Paul Duke STEM High School

Halie Rios

9th - 12th Grade English to Speakers of Other Languages/Language Arts Teacher
Paul Duke STEM High School