Greenville County Schools Announces 2026-27 Teacher of the Year Finalists

Ten educators across the district were selected as finalists for the prestigious award.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:44pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeating pattern of a stylized teacher's apple icon in neon shades of pink, green, and blue, with heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the district's celebration of exceptional educators.Greenville County Schools honors its top teachers with a vibrant, pop art-inspired celebration of educational excellence.Greenville Today

Greenville County Schools has announced the 10 finalists for the 2026-27 Teacher of the Year award. The finalists were surprised at their schools by Superintendent Burke Royster and will now go through interviews and classroom observations to determine the final three before the winner is announced in August.

Why it matters

The Teacher of the Year award is one of the highest honors for educators in Greenville County, recognizing exceptional teachers who go above and beyond to serve students and strengthen the local community. The finalists represent a diverse range of subjects and grade levels, showcasing the breadth of teaching talent in the district.

The details

The 10 finalists for the 2026-27 Greenville County Schools Teacher of the Year are: A.J. Arrowood (agriculture teacher at Greer High), Mary Grace Carlson (government and economics teacher at Carolina High), Michael Chapman (EMT instructor at Golden Strip Career Center), Bryanna Dennewitz (sixth and seventh-grade science teacher at Bryson Middle), Graham Garcia (eighth-grade math teacher at Lakeview Middle), Amanda Hamann (art teacher at Alexander Elementary), Kayla Layman (geometry teacher at Greenville Sr. High Academy), Kris Monday (cosmetology instructor at Bonds Career Center), Bill Twaler (culinary arts instructor at Enoree Career Center), and Jessica Yale (special education teacher at Travelers Rest High).

  • The finalists were announced on March 30, 2026.
  • The winner will be announced on August 6, 2026.

The players

Burke Royster

Superintendent of Greenville County Schools.

Greenville County Schools

The public school district serving Greenville County, South Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“These ten educators represent the very best of what it means to serve students with purpose. In every classroom, they are building the academic and life skills of successful college-and career-ready students with a collective commitment to excellence. Their influence reaches far beyond a single lesson or school year; it leaves a lasting mark on the lives of the students they serve and strengthens our entire community.”

— Burke Royster, Superintendent

What’s next

The 10 finalists will now go through in-person interviews and classroom observations, with the final three being announced before the 2026-27 Teacher of the Year is named on August 6.

The takeaway

Greenville County Schools' Teacher of the Year program celebrates the exceptional educators who are making a lasting impact on students and the broader community. This year's diverse group of finalists showcases the district's commitment to recognizing teaching excellence across all grade levels and subject areas.