Teacher of the Year
Each year we recognize the amazing people in our schools by selecting a Teacher of the Year. Each school selects their individual teacher of the year and from that group one teacher is selected to represent Gainesville City School as the District Teacher of the year. The winning district recipient receives $10,000 from the Doug & Kay Ivester Foundation and each school level winner receives $1000.
District Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Marty Jones
Margaret Jones is a fifth grade teacher at New Holland Leadership Academy in Gainesville, Georgia, where she also serves as her school’s Teacher of the Year. With nearly three decades of experience, Jones has taught learners from preschool through fifth grade and served as a computer and technology connections teacher, a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) lab instructor, and gifted resource teacher. She comes from generations of educators, a legacy that forms her belief that teaching is a calling rooted in responsibility and service to students.
Jones earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta University and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Piedmont University. Her work reflects a commitment to student-centered, differentiated instruction that honors individual strengths while fostering curiosity, confidence, and academic growth for all.
Teacher of the Year Recipients:
- Centennial - Kenzlee Denton
- Enota - Whitney Nguyen
- Fair Street - Lauren Bazzell
- Gainesville Exploration Academy - Jasmin Gaudlock
- Mundy Mill - Leniqua Bush
- New Holland - Margaret (Marty) Jones
- Gainesville Middle East - Rebecca Oliver
- Gainesville Middle West - Laverne Duthie
- Gainesville High - Jordan Castleberry
- Horizon Academy - Jennifer Whitley