Top of the Class: Greenville County Schools Announces 2026-27 Teacher of the Year Finalists
April 7, 2026
Excellence in the classroom took center stage this week as Greenville County Schools (GCS) officially announced the ten finalists for the prestigious 2026-27 Teacher of the Year award. Superintendent Dr. Burke Royster personally delivered the news last Monday, surprising the educators at their respective schools with the district’s highest teaching honor.
The finalists represent a diverse cross-section of the district’s 6,000 educators, ranging from elementary art teachers to career center instructors. These ten individuals were selected from a pool of school-level winners who underwent a rigorous application and screening process starting last fall.
Honoring the Golden Strip’s Own
Among the elite group of finalists are several educators serving the Golden Strip and surrounding communities, highlighting the high caliber of instruction in the Mauldin and Simpsonville areas.
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Michael Chapman: An EMT instructor at the Golden Strip Career Center, Chapman represents the vital link between classroom learning and real-world emergency services training for local students.
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Bryanna Dennewitz: A sixth and seventh-grade science teacher at Bryson Middle School, known for engaging young minds in the wonders of the natural world.
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Kris Monday: A cosmetology instructor at Bonds Career Center, who is helping students master professional skills for the beauty industry.
The full list of finalists also includes A.J. Arrowood (Greer High), Mary Grace Carlson (Carolina High), Graham Garcia (Lakeview Middle), Amanda Hamann (Alexander Elementary), Kayla Layman (Greenville Sr. High Academy), Bill Twaler (Enoree Career Center), and Jessica Yale (Travelers Rest High).
A Commitment to Excellence
During the surprise visits, Dr. Royster emphasized the profound impact these teachers have on the Upstate community. “These ten educators represent the very best of what it means to serve students with purpose,” Royster said. “Their influence reaches far beyond a single lesson or school year; it leaves a lasting mark on the lives of the students they serve and strengthens our entire community.”
To mark the achievement, each finalist received a $100 Visa gift card, a blanket, and an umbrella, courtesy of the Greenville Federal Credit Union.
The Road to the Title
While being named a Top 10 finalist is a significant milestone, the journey is not over. Over the coming weeks, the group will undergo:
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In-person interviews with the Selection Committee.
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Classroom observations, where judges will see their teaching philosophy in action.
This process will narrow the field down to three finalists before the official 2026-27 Teacher of the Year is crowned on August 6, 2026.
The winner will succeed the current Teacher of the Year, Morgan Smith of Robert E. Cashion Elementary, and will serve as a spokesperson for the district’s educators throughout the next academic year.
