HR 2045: Muscogee County School District's 2026 Teachers of the Year; commend

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.