Rockdale County Public Schools announces 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year finalists

CONYERS, GA– Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is celebrating the top three finalists selected for the district’s for e 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year.  

The finalists are (in alphabetical order): Gena Jeselnik of Rockdale Virtual Campus; Mebane Key of Rockdale Career Academy; and Antoinette Neil of Shoal Creek Elementary School.

A team headed by Superintendent Stephanie Johnson, Rockdale County Board of Education Chairwoman Sandra Jackson-Lett, board members Tonya Bloodworth, Pamela Brown and Akita Parmer, district cabinet members, school leaders, and staff greeted each teacher with the surprise announcement and commended the finalists.

“On behalf of the Rockdale County Board of Education, I extend our sincere congratulations to this year’s Teacher of the Year finalists,” said Board Chairwoman Sandra Jackson-Lett. “Through their passion for teaching and learning they inspire students, support families and coworkers, and strengthen our schools. We celebrate their achievements and thank them for the extraordinary impact they make every day throughout our school communities.”

“Our three Teacher of the Year finalists represent the very best of Rockdale County Public Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Johnson. “These outstanding educators exemplify excellence in teaching, a deep commitment to student success, and an unwavering passion for making a difference in the lives of children. We are incredibly proud of their dedication, innovation, and leadership, and we congratulate each finalist on this well-deserved recognition. We cannot wait to honor them and all of our Teachers of the Year at our upcoming Teacher of the Year Celebration “

Each school-level Teacher of the Year is chosen by their peers as an educator who exemplifies the highest levels of their profession and goes above and beyond for their students, colleagues, and community. The three district finalists are chosen out of the school-level Teachers of the Year. The RCPS Teacher of the Year Celebration will be held September 29, 2026, where all school-level Teachers of the Year will be honored and the district winner will be named. 

Gena Jeselnik, Rockdale Virtual Campus

Gena Jeselnik has been teaching for 16 years and has been working in the education field for 22 years. She has been teaching all the high school English courses at Rockdale Virtual Campus since 2021. Jeselnik and her husband of 25 years have one 23-year-old son. She is also the proud owner of one giant dog and two cats.

In her spare time, Jeselnik enjoys reading, crafting quilts, wreathes, and other crafts. Another hobby of hers includes tracing her genealogy, “I have traced one side of my family back to Queen Anne Boylen’s (third wife of King Henry VIII) sister,” she said. To further support and engage in the community, Jeselnik spends time curating care packages to send to those serving in the military. She also spends some of her free time writing letters to those in boot camp and donating to veterans. 

As a Rockdale Virtual Campus instructor, Jeselnik often spends time learning about new technology advancements and informing her coworkers. As a member of the English Language Arts Cadre, she spends a great amount of time learning about new standards during learning sessions and builds presentations around them.

Mebane Key, Rockdale Career Academy

Mebane Key has been teaching for five years as Rockdale Career Academy’s Healthcare Science Instructor and has served for the past two years as the Adjunct Instructor for the Nurse Aide Training program at RCA in partnership with Georgia Piedmont Technical College. Key spent 16 years working as a registered nurse before entering the classroom. She has two children, her middle schooler son and daughter who will soon graduate from cosmetology school. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, bowling, trying new restaurants, and continuing her own education. She said, “I am currently working on my master’s in education and enjoy learning about topics that spark my curiosity.”

As the HOSA co-advisor, Key engages in helping students to promote leadership, service, and community involvement. Rockdale Career Academy’s HOSA chapter participates in a variety of outreach efforts including blood drives, health awareness campaigns, community service projects and volunteer events that benefit local organizations.

One of her most rewarding teaching experiences was when a transferring out-of-district student, who previously had not passed their End of Pathway assessment, enrolled in Ms. Key’s Nurse Aide training program. The student earned their CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certification and received a scholarship.

 “Watching her overcome setbacks and achieve her goals reminded me that success is about perseverance, not perfection… Seeing students grow in confidence and pursue their dreams is the most rewarding part of my job,” said Key.

“I have the opportunity to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals while also teaching students how to advocate for themselves, navigate the healthcare system, and become informed patients. It has truly been a blessing to combine my passion for healthcare with my passion for education.”

Antoinette Neil, Shoal Creek Elementary

Antoinette Neil, a proud product of Rockdale County Public Schools and a Class of 2020 alumna of Heritage High/Rockdale Career Academy, is now in her third year of teaching. She is currently a first-grade teacher at Shoal Creek Elementary. Her family includes her parents and two brothers. Her activities include serving as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a historically Black organization that emphasizes community service. 

"I have dedicated numerous hours to participating in service initiatives such as Z-HOPE, March of Dimes, and supporting my undergraduate chapter through campus events and mentorship opportunities,” Neil said.  “As a proud alumna of Clayton State University, I continue to give back by assisting with various campus events and supporting current students. I was also voted Favorite Alumna."

Neil continued, "One of the most rewarding experiences in my teaching career occurred during the 2025–2026 school year. At the beginning of the year, I had a student who struggled to recognize her letters. Through targeted strategies, after-school tutoring sessions, and intentional data-driven instruction, she was reading fluently by the end of the year. This experience was especially meaningful to me because I was also a struggling reader in elementary school. Being able to help one of my scholars reach her full potential was incredibly rewarding and reminded me why I became an educator.”

She added, "Education and service are deeply rooted in my family. My mother was named Teacher of the Year in Rockdale County Public Schools eight years ago (Ms. Shalaiwah Neil at Sims Elementary, 2018-2019) making this journey especially meaningful to me as I continue that legacy."

For more information about RCPS and the Teacher of the Year Celebration, visit www.rockdaleschools.org