Greensboro, N.C. – Guilford County Schools (GCS) is celebrating extraordinary educators as students, staff, and district administrators are prepare for the annual Celebration of Excellence to be held at Eastern Guilford High (415 Peeden Drive, Gibsonville) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on September 15.

Teachers, administrators, and staff members will participate in a spirit parade after they walk the red carpet to the event. They’ll also entertain one another as they dress up, get loud, and put on a great show to win school spirit awards during the reception starting at 5:00 p.m.

The program, sponsored by the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation, Guilford Education Alliance, and Racial Equity Institute, will begin at 6:00 pm. Guests will enjoy student performances, remarks from North Carolina Teacher of the Year Leah Carper, and a balloon drop as we name the new Guilford County Teacher of the Year.

Rookie Teacher of the Year finalists:

Zaynah Brooks, Wiley Elementary
Jerico Carrillo, Southern High
Gary Kight, Morehead Elementary
Kathryn Porter, Jamestown Middle
Brooklyn Whipple, Fraizer Elementary

Mentor of the Year finalists:

Emily Rex, Guilford Elementary
Christina Sapusek, Western High
Yvette Spratling, Wiley Elementary
Bryant Thompson, Ferndale Middle

Social Worker of the Year Finalists:

Shameka Byers, Pearce Elementary
Terri Sims Starling, Washington Montessori, Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro and STEM Early College at N.C. A&T State University
Brittany Wells, Jamestown Middle

Counselor of the Year Finalists:

Jennifer Kijania, Middle College at GTCC-Greensboro
Ashley Lopez Davila, Alderman Elementary

Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists:

Kesandra Farmer-Gills, Bluford STEM Academy
Tanya Hiller, Academy at Lincoln
Kimberly Leighty, Western High
Barbara Mcrae, Parkview Village Elementary
Karen Williams-Dick, Eastern High

Principal of the Year finalists:

Kevin Carr, Haynes Inman Education Center
Carla Flores-Ballesteros, Allen Jay Elementary
Abe Hege, Fairview Elementary
Paul Travers, Washington Elementary
Kristina Wheat, Johnson Street Global Studies

Teacher of the Year finalists:

Christopher Carroll, Sternberger Elementary
Olivia Gerald, Grimsley High
Holly Herberg, Ferndale Middle
Juana Rhili, Guilford Elementary
Nina Sumpter, Weaver Academy

About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools, the third-largest school district in North Carolina and the 50th largest of more than 14,000 in the United States, serves nearly 70,000 PK-12 students at 126 schools. With approximately 9,800 employees, GCS works in partnership with parents, businesses, colleges, and the community to deliver an education that connects student interests and skills with the careers and economy of our future here and around the world. We provide educational choices to meet individual student needs in a culturally diverse citizenship and new opportunities to help our students Soar to Greatness. For more information, visit the district’s website at www.gcsnc.com.