Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
SCCPSS Teachers Honored By Their Peers For Instructional Excellence
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SCCPSS Teachers Honored By Their Peers For Instructional Excellence
Updated
Four SCCPSS teachers have recently been recognized by their respective professional organization peers for demonstrating excellence in the classroom and community.
The 2026 In-Service Conference of the Georgia Music Educator’s Association (GMEA) last month saw two SCCPSS educators recognized.
Rebecca Flaherty, Garrison Principal Aysha Parks, Dr. Kristen Donaldson, and Garrison Elementary Music Teacher Jared Hall.
Garrison School for the Arts Middle School Music Teacher Dr. Kristen Donaldson was named GMEA’s District 1 Educator of the Year recognizing her dedication and outstanding impact on student learning, excellence in pedagogy, leadership, and service to the profession.
And Rebecca Flaherty, Elementary Music Teacher at Marshpoint Elementary School received the GMEA Community Impact Award recognizing individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to fostering music education, and sustaining musical programs through volunteerism. Ms. Flaherty received the award in recognition of her work with SING: Savannah, a community Choir open to student in Kindergarten through 12th grade.
SCCPSS Special Education Teacher of the Year – also Distinguished Service Award Recipient for the Coastal/Southeast Georgia Learning Resource System (GLRS) area.
The Georgia Learning Resource System (GLRS) for the Coastal/Southeast Georgia area also recognized one of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System’s finest last month. Kari Riley, Adaptive Teacher at Jenkins High was honored at the organization’s Special Education Teacher of the Year luncheon on February 27th. After being recognized as the SCCPSS Special Education Teacher of the Year, Ms. Riley was named the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for the Coastal/Southeast GLRS Area.
2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year (High School Level) – American Association of Teachers of Spanish & Portuguese
Dr. Ana Zurita from Savannah Arts Academy has been named the 2026 Georgia American Association of Teachers of Spanish & Portuguese (ATSP) High School Level Teacher of the Year. This recognition is a testament to her dedication to her students, her commitment to her profession, and the excellence she brings to language education every single day. She will be formally recognized on March 7, 2026, during the AATSP affiliate meeting and later at the FLAG Conference luncheon in Atlanta.
Congratulations to these superlative teachers!