House Resolution 2045
By: Representatives Buckner of the 137th, Hugley of the 141st, Smith of the 138th, Reese of
the 140th, and Rice of the 139th
A RESOLUTION
Congratulating and commending the Muscogee County School District's 2026 Teachers of
the Year; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, a proper quality education for the young people of this state is the single most
important objective of the General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, in 1996, a group of committed and devoted citizens organized the Muscogee
Educational Excellence Foundation, which strives to enhance the quality of education in
Muscogee County by providing support to teachers; and
WHEREAS, since its creation, this outstanding foundation has grown into one of the leading
advocates of excellence in public education in the county; and
WHEREAS, the following educators are recipients of the foundation's 2026 Teacher of the
Year award and are deserving of acknowledgment for their exemplary service to the youth
of Muscogee County: Missy Morgan, Britt David Magnet Academy; Kanovva Jackson,
Brewer Elementary School; Sydney Poe, Blanchard Elementary School; Morgan Joiner,
Blackmon Road Middle School; Joy Moore, Baker Middle School; Dr. Norell Combs,
Arnold Magnet Academy; Bliss Wright, Allen Elementary School; Angela Moore, Aaron
Cohn Middle School; Chris Carter, Clubview Elementary School; Brendle Moyer, Columbus
High School; Kimberly Grant, Dimon Magnet Academy; Madison Tappan, Dorothy Height
Elementary School; Lisa Blackmon, Double Churches Elementary School; Mandy Chase,
Double Churches Middle School; Alana Guevara, Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy;
Aubrey Smith, Eagle Ridge Academy; Denisha Mack, East Columbus Magnet Academy;
Anissa Alvarado, Eddy Middle School; LaQuanta Strickland, Forrest Road Elementary
School; Jennifer Smith, Wood Fort Service-Learning Magnet Academy; Emily Gaydon, Fox
Elementary School; Christopher Nance, G.W. Carver High School; Miranda Zelaya, Gentian
Elementary School; Heather Tribble, Georgetown Elementary School; Tiffany Powell,
Hannan Elementary Magnet Academy; Ja'Nyah Jefferson, Hardaway High School; Tiffiny
Rigsby, J.D. Davis Elementary School; Gina Norris, Johnson Elementary School; Melvin
Jackson, Jordan Vocational College and Career Academy; Lola Farley, Kendrick High
School; Jessika Tye, Key Elementary School; Amber Marcus, Lonnie Jackson Academy;
Carolyn Bingham, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School; Valandria Burke, Mary A.
Buckner Academy; Jaime Holmes, Mathews Elementary School; Thelma Odom, Midland
Academy; Sierra Brooks, Midland Middle School; Oveyana Washington, North Columbus
Elementary School; Bethani McNelly, Northside High School; Matt White,
Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts; Gerald Schofield, Reese Road Elementary School;
Monika Bishop-McElwee, Richards Middle School; Madison Lavender, Rigdon Road
Elementary School; Shannon Woolridge, River Road Elementary School; Teanna Flemister,
Rothschild Leadership Academy; Laquinta Gallishaw-Gonzalez, Shaw High School; Tiffani
Smith-Burch, South Columbus Elementary School; Joshua Bowman, Spencer High School;
Courtney Phillips, St. Elmo Center for the Gifted; Lyla Cook, Veterans Memorial Middle
School; Khalilah Wallace, Waddell Elementary School; Carolyn Kirkland, Wesley Heights
Elementary School; and Kati Morrell, Wynnton Arts Academy; and
WHEREAS, each of these honorees has earned distinction for teaching excellence as a result
of their dedication to their students and their profession and has been honored as their
school's 2026 Teacher of the Year; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of such remarkable contributions to the education and welfare
of Georgia's students, it is abundantly fitting and proper for this body to honor the
extraordinary accomplishments and academic achievements of these outstanding educators.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body congratulate and commend the Muscogee County School District's
2026 Teachers of the Year and express their most sincere best wishes for continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to each
individual named herein.