2025-26 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year
Morgan Smith, fifth grade teacher at Robert E. Cashion Elementary, named 2025-26 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year
This morning, Robert E. Cashion fifth grade teacher Morgan Smith received the district’s highest teaching honor as Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster named her the 2025-26 GCS Teacher of the Year.
Three runners-up were announced: Meagan Wagner, English teacher at Riverside High, was named First Runner-up; Candace Brownlee-Collins, fourth grade teacher at Hollis Academy, was named Second Runner-up; and Tieraney Gezelle Rice, 4K teacher at Monarch Elementary, was named Third Runner-up.
Additional Top 10 Finalists for 2025-26 Teacher of the Year were Ashley Black, fifth grade teacher at Augusta Circle Elementary; Alexandria Cherry, digital art and design instructor at Golden Strip Career Center; Anna Henson, fifth grade teacher at Monaview Elementary; Leonardo Sanchez-Palomino, Spanish Teacher at Northwest Middle; Vivian A. Welkner, ELA Spanish immersion teacher at Hughes Academy; and Jacob Zimmerman, counselor at Wade Hampton High.
Two First-Class Teacher Award winners were named. This award, sponsored by Public Education Partners and Auro Hotels, recognizes exemplary teachers at both the elementary and secondary level who have completed their very first year of teaching and have Induction Contract Status in Greenville County Schools. The Elementary First Class Teacher Award was presented to Kat Kimberlin, third grade teacher at Brushy Creek Elementary. The Secondary First Class Teacher Award was presented to Jon Moldovan, business education teacher at Riverside High.
In addition, two Emerging Teachers of the Year were named. The Emerging Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by Greenville Federal Credit Union and recognizes teachers who have completed their second or third year of teaching. Awards are presented to one elementary teacher and one secondary teacher. Maddie Smith, third grade teacher at Gateway Elementary, was named Elementary Level Emerging Teacher of the Year, and Jeremy Dodd, aerospace technologies instructor at the CTE Innovation Center, was named Secondary Level Emerging Teacher of the Year.
2025-26 Teacher of the Year, Morgan Smith
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 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 using technology to bridge communication gaps for English learners, this educator 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.
Teacher of the Year Process
The process of selecting ten finalists began last fall when schools and centers selected their individual Teachers of the Year. School-level Teachers of the Year completed a comprehensive application that was reviewed and scored by initial screening committees.
A separate Judging Committee, including representation from a former teacher of the year, a retired GCS administrator, higher education, and community partners, then ranked the top one-third of applicants and selected the Top 10 finalists.
How Are the Finalists Chosen?
Each Top Ten candidate for Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year is judged on the completed application, a one-on-one interview, and a classroom observation.
During the interview, candidates were evaluated on their use of effective communication skills, organization of responses to questions, and substance and relevance of response. Top Ten Finalists had an unannounced classroom’s observation by the judging committee. Judges scored each finalist on his or her knowledge of content, teacher/student interaction, communication skills, instructional delivery, and assessment and feedback.
The members of the Selection Committee are Kristin Eplee Barthel, Eplee and Associates; Suzanne Billings, GCS Teacher of the Year 2017-18; Bernice Jackson, retired GCS administrator; Catherine James, Greenville Federal Credit Union; and Dr. Scott Turner, Anderson University.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
GCS extends a special thanks to presenting sponsor Greenville Federal Credit Union.
Special awards and prizes are provided for the top Greenville County teacher and other honorees. Sponsors include Bank of Travelers Rest, BMW, Chick-fil-A of Greer, Dave & Buster's, Eplee + Associates, Expressions Unlimited, Grand Bohemian Hotel, Greenville Drive, Greenville Federal Credit Union, Greenville Journal, Greenville PTA, Jeremiah's Italian Ice, Jostens, Papa John's Pizza, Peace Center, Public Education Partners, Rotary Club of Greenville, SC Charities, Spare Time, Table 301, Texas Roadhouse, The Waters Group.
