53 nominees narrowed to 10 semifinalists for Muscogee Teacher of the Year award
The Muscogee County School District 2026 Teacher of the Year will be one of these 10 semifinalists announced Wednesday:
- Carolyn Bingham, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, fourth grade
- Joshua Bowman, Spencer High School, band
- Mandy Chase, Double Churches Middle School, math
- Kimberly Grant, Dimon Magnet Academy, first grade
- Christian Grier, Clubview Elementary School, physical education
- Jaime Holmes, Mathews Elementary School, third grade
- Retired Lt. Col. Melvin Jackson, Jordan Vocational High School, JROTC
- Amber Marcus, Lonnie Jackson Academy, second grade
- Joy Moore, Baker Middle School, math
- Kati Morrell, Wynnton Arts Academy, first grade
The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation is the nonprofit organization that runs MCSD’s Teacher of the Year program. MEEF’s selection committee, comprising local education and business leaders, chose these semifinalists by evaluating the applications from the 53 nominees representing each school in the district.
After the committee interviews the semifinalists, MEEF is scheduled to announce the finalists March 27. Then the committee will visit the classroom of each finalist and watch them conduct a lesson to determine the winner, who will be announced at MEEF’s Teacher of the Year gala.
This year’s gala will be May 7 (6 p.m. reception, 6:45 p.m. dinner) in the Columbus Convention & Trade Center. The $70 tickets go on sale March 23 at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts box office.
MEEF’s 2026 MCSD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee members are:
- Gina Smith (chairwoman)
- Retired Maj. Gen. Dave Coburn
- Gena Davis (2022 MCSD Teacher of the Year finalist)
- Sheryl Green (2015 MCSD Teacher of the Year)
- Marquette McKnight
- Brittney Smith
- Erica Walker
“Reviewing each of the 53 honoree applications provides an inspiring glimpse into the extraordinary work happening in classrooms across our district every single day,” McKnight, the executive director of MEEF, said in a news release. “Our community leaders who serve on the selection committee are consistently moved by the depth of dedication, creativity and heart our teachers bring to their students.
“Selecting the top 10 is always an incredibly difficult decision, but these educators distinguished themselves through their measurable impact, innovative instruction and unwavering commitment to student success.”
MEEF is dedicated to fostering educational excellence by recognizing and rewarding innovative and exceptionally effective teachers in MCSD. The foundation has awarded more than $3.4 million to such educators during the past 30 years through financial incentives, including the Teacher of the Year program, the Harvard Fellows training, the Buntin Schools of Excellence training and a variety of grants.
The 10 MCSD Teacher of the Year semifinalists are eligible to apply to be one of MEEF’s Harvard Fellows for an all-expenses-paid week of professional development at the Ivy League school.
“It’s a life-changing opportunity that equips teachers with new perspectives, renewed inspiration and advanced leadership skills,” McKnight said. “Our Harvard Fellows return to MCSD empowered to elevate not only their own classrooms but their schools and colleagues as well.”
