Gwinnett County narrows search for 2027 Teacher of the Year to six finalists

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA—Six Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) teachers have been selected as finalists for the 2027 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year title. The finalists are Tram Nguyen ofBethesda Elementary School, Stephanie Guynn of Burnette Elementary School, Lisa Babbage of Radloff Middle School, Austin Hannon of Twin Rivers Middle School, Candice Richardson of GIVE Center East, and Batavia Sumlin of Paul Duke STEM High School.

 Gwinnett’s program is aligned with the state and national Teacher of the Year programs. The educator named district Teacher of the Year will officially serve from July 2026 – June 2027 and will apply to be the state Teacher of the year in the fall of 2026. Gwinnett’s selection committees narrowed the field to 25 semifinalists selected from a list of 141 local Teachers of the Year. The committees—which include former teachers of the year, local school administrators, and central office staff—now have the task of selecting the 2027 Teacher of the Year. On Jan. 29, at 6:30 p.m., GCPS will host a celebration honoring this year’s finalists and naming the top teacher in the school district.

Tram Nguyen

5th Grade Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Teacher at Bethesda Elementary School

     Tram Nguyen is a teacher who encourages students to find their spark in and outside of the classroom by finding ways to bridge the gap in STEM education. In Nguyen’s classroom, every student is a genius in their own way. 

“I believe every child is a genius and finds joy in learning when given equitable opportunities to create and communicate in ways that reflect their strengths,” Nguyen shares. “In my classroom, I provide choice and flexibility in how students demonstrate learning.” Continuing to see the opportunity to build bridges, Nguyen took it upon herself to initiate school-wide celebrations of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) for the first time. She helped students put together a showcase that included music, dance, and poetry, sparking curiosity and engagement among her school community. “Some students were hesitant to participate because they didn’t know much about AANHPI culture,” Nguyen says. “Now students actively ask to join heritage programs either as performers or models, with many expressing that they want to learn more about their own culture or support their classmates.” The celebration has grown to include other schools like Berkmar High School and community partners. Culture and community also come full circle in Nguyen’s classroom, where she led a personal finance lesson that allowed students to design a Food Truck with 3D. The project charged students to build trucks that reflect cultural traditions, local needs, or personal stories connected to food, identity, and heritage. “I developed this project-based learning combined with culturally responsive teaching to teach economics concepts such as the function of a business, competition, risk-taking, and consumer behavior.  

 “It became a powerful learning experience because students apply these ideas in authentic ways while bringing their lived experiences and creativity into our classroom.”

Nguyen began working with Team GCPS in 2019 at Bethesda Elementary School as an English Language Arts and Mathematics Instructional Clerk. She holds both a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Creative and Innovative Education from Georgia State University.

Stephanie Guynn

3rd Grade Reading, Writing, and Mathematics Teacher at Burnette Elementary School

  Stephanie Guynn takes pride in her commitment to education and her desire to be a lifelong learner. Approaching learning with a “can-do” attitude, Guynn strives to be an example of leadership by modeling a love for learning. Guynn says her mission is to better serve her students. “Much of my continuing education has been guided by my passion for math literacy. I want every child to see themselves as capable mathematicians, and I believe that developing a deep understanding of mathematical concepts is just as essential as learning to read fluently.” Leaning on the strengths of her students, Guynn saw an opportunity for learning to continue outside of the classroom. She developed Burnette Elementary’s Yearbook Club. “By building our school’s Yearbook Club from the ground up, I have provided students with experiences in leadership, advocacy, and creativity that empower them far beyond the pages of a yearbook,” Guynn shares. The inaugural yearbook staff included 21 4th and 5th grade students, and together they produced an 80-page yearbook that celebrated the achievements of students and staff. “More than a project, Yearbook Club has become a unifying experience that strengthens school spirit and reminds students and their families that their stories are worth telling.” Further, Guynn supports her students with three things in mind: “See the child. Teach the standard. Share the work.” Guynn flows with her students, filling needs as they come, sharing positive feedback with families and the public, and creating a genuine and nurturing space to learn. “Seeing the child does not mean lowering the bar; it means choosing the right doorway in,” Guynn says. “Learning should be challenging. Our job is to make the path visible and the next step doable. Rigor isn’t a tone of voice; it is the pairing of high expectations with the supports that make them reachable.”

Guynn joined GCPS in 2020 as a 5th grade teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies from Western Governors University, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University, and a specialist degree in Leadership in Mathematics Education from Regent University.

Dr. Lisa Babbage

8th Grade Social Studies Teacher at Radloff Middle School

     Dr. Lisa Babbage’s educational philosophy is rooted in her mantra of “Learning is the gift you give yourself,” and she shares that gift with her students daily. Babbage serves as the Gifted Testing Coordinator, and she has made it her mission to increase the number of underrepresented students in Gifted courses. 

“To me, it is crucial to serve the needs of these students, and much of my passion comes from my own experience as a child being denied Gifted services due to socio-economic factors and inadequate communication between schools,” Babbage  explains.  

Babbage has encouraged her team to look beyond the “norm” and to be open-minded when identifying Gifted students, increasing teacher referrals. Babbage goes above and beyond for her school community, serving as the head cheerleading coach at Radloff Middle and securing grants to improve students’ school environment. “The daily practice of connecting with students fosters the link to learning beyond the classroom,” Babbage shares. 

“Making personal connections with my students’ academic characteristics, culture, and communities helps our academic as well as social dialogue remain responsive and engaging,” Babbage says. 

Babbage is dedicated to innovation. She currently serves as an adjunct professor at Southeastern University and, in 2024, won a fellowship from the Computer Science Teachers Association / AI4K12 (CSTA/AI) Institute at the University of Pennsylvania to work on an AI-based project called Project Keating, which utilizes AI to support paraprofessionals, among other professional development endeavors.

Babbage started her journey with GCPS in 2022 as a Social Studies teacher for grades 6 and 8 at Radloff Middle School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from American InterContinental University, a master’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Mercer University, a second master’s degree in STEM Education from Georgia State University, a specialist degree in Post-Baccalaureate Educational Leadership from Georgia State University, and a doctoral degree in Government and  Non-Profit Leadership from Capella University.

Austin Hannon

6th-8th Grade Chorus Teacher at Twin Rivers Middle School

 Austin Hannon is not only molding young minds in his Chorus classroom but also helping students discover the strength and power behind their voices. Hannon is motivated by making students feel valued and challenged when they step into his classroom, preparing them for real-world occurrences. Hannon says challenging students brings them confidence. 

“Whether performing for judges, auditioning for state-level ensembles, or collaborating with peers from across the county, my students are applying their knowledge in ways that build both musical and life skills. These opportunities not only align with district initiatives but also ensure students see themselves as capable, accomplished learners who can thrive in any setting,” Hannon says.

He is committed to ensuring students don’t feel like another number in his classroom, community, and cluster. He has orchestrated an annual cluster-wide choral concert, sent numerous students to choir competitions like Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) and All-State Chorus, and selected a diverse range of choir music from around the world that caters to the needs of the student population. 

“As a chorus teacher, I see every day that real harmony isn’t about everyone singing the same note,” Hannon shares. “It’s about listening carefully, making adjustments, and respecting each student’s unique voice and story. My job is to guide students to listen to one another musically, take creative risks, and build confidence in their individual sound.” 

Hannon is also an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, consistently develops professional development sessions for colleagues, and serves as a clinician for other directors and their choir students.

Hannon started his journey with GCPS in 2022 as a Chorus Teacher at Twin Rivers Middle School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Georgia Southern University, a master’s degree in Choral Conducting and Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a specialist degree in Advanced Educational Studies from Augusta University.

Dr. Candice Richardson

9th Grade Biology Teacher at GIVE Center East

Candice Richardson is a change-maker at her school, consistently finding ways to innovate and reinforce a positive school culture each and every day. Richardson implemented “Level Up: Every Day Counts” to battle chronic absenteeism in her biology classroom. The initiative, which allowed students to wear colored sneakers for perfect attendance, increased student attendance and spread across the school, unifying the school community as more grade levels and staff became involved.

 “The program’s visible symbols – colored sneakers and matching shirts – serve as daily reminders of our shared success and collective growth,” Richardson says. “Knowing that this initiative continues to shape a school culture grounded in belonging, accountability, and celebration is deeply fulfilling, and it stands as a testament to the power of collaborative leadership driving meaningful, sustained change,”  Richardson says.

Richardson is also a champion of social-emotional learning (SEL), for her learning starts with fostering belonging. 

“Ultimately, my goal is for every student to see that learning is not confined to tests or grades; it is a foundation for pursuing dreams, making informed decisions, and contributing meaningfully to their communities,” Richardson explains. “When a student tells me, ‘I get it, I understand why learning this is important,’ I know I am fulfilling the GCPS mission.”

 Richardson is also involved professionally as a member of Teachers As Leaders (TAL), a Gwinnett Writes Team Lead, where she has worked to improve clarity and accessibility for testing, and as a GEMS Mentor to marginalized students, where she has also coached colleagues on trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, fostering a culture of empathy.

Richardson started her educational journey in GCPS at GIVE Center East in 2022 as a Study Skills teacher. Dr. Richardson holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Tuskegee University, a master’s degree in Family Medicine from the University of the West Indies, a second master’s degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida, and a specialist medical degree in Surgery and Medicine from the University of the West Indies.

Batavia Sumlin

9th-12th Grade Computer Science Teacher at Paul Duke STEM High School

Batavia Sumlin is an educator who strives to make learning accessible, relatable, and meaningful. In Sumlin’s Computer Science classroom, game programming students take what they already know and turn it into something actionable and tangible. “I start with what students know [games], build on it with structure and standards, give them ownership of the process, and then step back as they surprise themselves with what they can accomplish.” Sumlin encourages independence in her students by showing them that their ideas matter and that they can carry them into their future careers with confidence. Sumlin’s encouragement has managed to raise the number of students earning the Unity Certified User: Programmer Certification from 42% to 67% in just three years, preparing them for college, internships, and careers. Sumlin has also impacted the district as a Lead Game Design Instructor, assisting other educators across the county by curating resource material that supports other Computer Science instructors. 

“Colleagues often share that these supports give them the confidence to teach advanced topics such as physics simulations or interface design,” Sumlin says. “Knowing that my work reduces stress for teachers and improves consistency for students makes the role deeply meaningful.” Sumlin’s impact doesn’t stop there; she makes it a point to lead with equity, making students feel seen. “Equity means seeing the whole student, not just the scholar. I make time to greet students by name, ask about their lives, and listen to their stories.

 “Many of my students balance school with jobs or family responsibilities, and I adapt supports so those realities do not become barriers.” 

As a barrier-breaker, Sumlin also serves as a Women in STEM mentor, where she encourages young women to remain open-minded about technology pathways through speaking engagements and external opportunities with national technology organizations and post-secondary institutions.

Sumlin joined Team GCPS in 2022 at Paul Duke STEM High School as an AP Computer Science Principles instructor, also teaching Game Design, Web Development, Introduction to Software Technology, and Introduction to Hardware Technology. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology Management from Clayton State University, a master’s degree in Information Systems & Technology Education from Strayer University, and a specialist degree in Instructional Technology from the University of West Georgia.