CONGRATULATIONS
2025-26 GCS Teacher of the Year 5th Grade Teacher
Robert E. Cashion Elementary
Greenville County Schools
Meagan Wagner Candace Brownlee-Collins Tieraney Gezelle Rice
Morgan Smith
Morgan Smith
Morgan Smith
Morgan Smith
5th Grade Teacher
Robert E. Cashion Elementary
Morgan Smith, the 2025–2026 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year, brings a passion for education shaped by her family’s legacy and her own experience as a student in Greenville County Schools. Inspired by her grandmother, a principal with 40 years of service, and her father, a school plant engineer, Morgan believes education is rooted in connections — making every person feel seen, heard, and valued.
Today, as a fifth-grade teacher at Robert E. Cashion Elementary, Morgan creates a learning environment where students are both challenged and supported. “My greatest contribution isn’t an award but rather creating a safe, positive environment where students feel genuinely valued,” Morgan shares. “Well past leaving my classroom, students share their lives and academic successes with me. Their notes, emails, and hugs are my trophies.”
Her teaching philosophy reflects the lessons passed down from her family: that nurturing positive relationships and holding high expectations are key to building successful, contributing members of
It is of utmost importance to me that students feel both represented and valued in my classroom.”
society. In her classroom, Morgan uses engaging, real-world experiences — like transforming her room into a coffee shop or inviting community professionals to speak — to make learning relevant and memorable. Through these experiences, students not only meet academic goals but also begin exploring future careers.
Morgan is also a champion of wellness and positivity among educators founding the S.P.A.R.K. team — Support, Positivity, Appreciation, Respect, and Kindness — at her school. “I created the S.P.A.R.K. team in my school to implement daily positive interactions and appreciation initiatives to support and uplift others,” she says. “We don’t get burned out because of what we do; we get burned out because we forget why we do it.” These efforts have helped build morale, strengthen staff relationships, and inspire hope across her school.
Her commitment to supporting individual students is evident in the thoughtful ways she incorporates their voices and perspectives into her classroom. From adapting classroom language and materials to ensure representation to using technology to bridge communication gaps for English learners, Morgan goes above and beyond to create a space where every student can thrive.
Morgan also prepares students for life beyond elementary school by incorporating the Graduation Plus initiative into her instruction. Her classroom regularly hosts guest speakers from the community, exposing students to a range of careers and educational paths.
“Students may change their future career aspirations, but I hope the variety of pathways discussed in my classroom will guide them to reach their goals,” she says.
Teachers Teachers OF
A.J. Whittenberg Elementary MISTY NATSKAKULA
Berea Middle MARIA’ JOHNSON Bethel Elementary SARAH SWEET Blue Ridge High MISSY SZCINSKI
Ridge Middle KELLIE JOHNSON
Blythe Academy ALEJANDRA MARTINEZ NEAL
Brook Glenn Elementary CASEY AVANT Brushy Creek Elementary BELINDA BLACK
Bryson Elementary/ Golden Strip CDC KRISTINA MITROS Bryson
Cherrydale Elementary EMILY GODFREY
Crestview Elementary ERICA SANDALL
CTE Innovation Center ERIKA SHIOTA MONTANDON Donaldson Career Center CASEY MOSLEY Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle DREW JOHNSON
Duncan Chapel Elementary ALEXANDRA PAYNE East North Street Academy JODIE BUFORD
Eastside High MANDY LEWANDOWSKI
Ellen Woodside Elementary/ Riley CDC OLIVIA REYNOLDS
Enoree Career Center RONARDO BOWSER Fork Shoals School JANNA REIGHARD Fountain Inn Elementary ANDRIA KINNINGER
JESSICA CONNER
THE YEAR! 2025
Ralph Chandler Middle KATIE GARNER
Riverside Middle ANDREA FRANKLIN
Rudolph Gordon School TARA GUNTER
Sara Collins Elementary CAROLYN VAUGHAN
BRANDON SOEMER
The First Class Teachers Awards, sponsored by Public Education Partners and Auro Hotels, recognizes two first-year teachers, one each at the elementary and secondary levels, for their outstanding performance. Each winner receives $250, a one-night stay at Auro Hotels and a personalized crystal award.
The Emerging Teachers of the Year, sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union, recognizes a second- or third-year teacher at the elementary and secondary levels for outstanding performance. Each winner receives $500, a crystal award and $500 for their school.
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Meagan Wagner
Riverside High - English Teacher
I believe that every student in every classroom can and should grow, every student can learn and every student is worth the effort.”
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Candace
Brownlee-Collins
Hollis Academy - 4th Grade Teacher
Teachers are visionaries with the unique ability to guide their students toward academic success, personal growth, creativity, and critical thinking.”
THIRD RUNNER-UP
Monarch Elementary - 4K Teacher
I believe strong relationships between teachers and students should be established before true learning can take place.”
2025-26 TEACHER OF THE YEAR Finalists
ASHLEY BLACK 5th Grade Teacher at Augusta Circle Elementary
ALEXANDRIA CHERRY Digital Art and Design Instructor at Golden Strip Career Center
ANNA HENSON 5th Grade Teacher at Monaview Elementary LEONARDO SANCHEZ-PALOMINO Spanish Teacher at Northwest Middle
VIVIAN A. WELKNER ELA Spanish Immersion Teacher at Hughes Academy
JACOB ZIMMERMAN Counselor at Wade Hampton High
