Outstanding Educators Recognized at Inaugural Excellence in Education Gala

The evening of Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System held the Inaugural Excellence in Education Gala at the Hyatt Regency Savannah. Teachers and Instructional Support personnel representing 56 SCCPSS schools and programs were honored at the event – combining recognitions that were held separately in previous years. One of five finalists in each of those categories was named the 2026 SCCPSS Teacher of the Year and the 2026 SCCPSS Instructional Support Person of the Year. In addition, the district named its first Principal of the Year. A new recognition presented to one of three finalists who exemplifies excellence in educational leadership.

The recognized educators are:

SCCPSS 2026 Teacher of the Year:  Jennifer Hughes, 5^th Grade Teacher, Southwest Elementary School. After graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Colorado, Ms. Hughes was accepted into their Urban Community Teacher Education program where she would complete the requirements for her teacher licensure, as well as earn her Master of Arts in Special Education, later completing a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in culturally and linguistically diverse education. In 2022, Hughes and her family relocated to Georgia where she currently works at Southwest Elementary School teaching fifth grade language arts and social studies.

SCCPSS 2026 Instructional Support Person of the Year:  Jabari Hymon, School Resource Officer, Windsor Forest High School.  Officer Hymon is recognized for his unwavering dedication to student safety, mentorship, and community service. As a School Resource Officer with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Jabari has made a profound impact on creating a safe and supportive environment for students. His commitment to student well-being and his ability to build meaningful relationships with young people have been key to his success. Recently promoted to Investigative Officer, Jabari continues to ensure the safety and success of all students, going above and beyond in his role.

SCCPSS 2024-25 Principal of the Year:  Mr. Alfred McGuire, Woodville-Tompkins Technical and Career High School. Mr. McGuire is a native of Lithonia, Georgia and matriculated to Savannah State University where he earned his Bachelors of Arts Degree in History. McGuire later enrolled at Armstrong State University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Middle Grades Education, then later graduated from Mercer University with an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership (K-12). He began his career in the field of education with Educational Talent Search (ETS) where he created a mentoring program from male students enrolled in the federal outreach program designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to prepare them for post-secondary education. Mr. McGuire has served as Principal of Woodville-Tompkins Technical and Career High School for more than a decade, and has led the school to numerous awards and accolades including US News and World Report Top High School in America and a Model School

The 2026 Teacher of the Year and Instructional Support Person of the Year will lead the Superintendent’s Professional Senate for Savannah-Chatham educators throughout the next school year.  In addition, the Teacher of the Year will have the Flag of Learning and Liberty raised over her school this fall to signify that the district teacher of the year is educating students there. Though the Principal of the Year and Instructional Support Person of the Year are district-level awards, the Teacher of the Year will become the District representative for the Georgia State Teacher of the Year program next year.

See more photos from the Gala here.