Rutherford County Schools announced its 2026-2027 school-level Teachers of the Year on Nov. 3, recognizing educators at schools across Rutherford County, according to the district. The announcement says three district-level winners will be named later this week.
The school honorees named by the district are Barfield Elementary’s Cara Taylor; Blackman Elementary’s Allison Crump, Blackman High’s Frank Pinnix and Blackman Middle’s Kerri Lovell; Brown’s Chapel Elementary’s Taylor Simpson; Buchanan Elementary’s Leslie Weems; Cedar Grove Elementary’s Brittany Martino; Central Magnet’s Nicole Davis; Christiana Elementary’s Holly Maynard and Christiana Middle’s Lori Browning; Daniel-McKee Alternative’s Jasmine Straughter; David Youree Elementary’s Eleanor Roberts; Eagleville School’s Brittany Oliver; Holloway High’s Bobbi Palmer; HP Campus School’s Blair Vaughan; John Colemon Elementary’s Shelby Kidd; Kittrell Elementary’s Alysia Pitts; LaVergne High’s Hannah Rodgers, LaVergne Lake Elementary’s Kyna Mayes and LaVergne Middle’s Sarah Carpenter; and Lascassas Elementary’s Kristi Peay.
Other honorees listed are McFadden School of Excellence’s Mary Elizabeth Gillespie; Oakland High’s Art Yasso and Oakland Middle’s Jonathan Jordan; Plainview Elementary’s Jessia Zierman; Poplar Hill Elementary’s Maleah Gasser and Poplar Hill Middle’s Emily Hurley; Riverdale High’s Nate Paris; Rock Springs Elementary’s Christine Mann and Rock Springs Middle’s Carson Richardson; Rocky Fork Elementary’s Brad Alexander and Rocky Fork Middle’s Olivia Williams; Rockvale Elementary’s Jinna Jones, Rockvale High’s Patricia Campbell and Rockvale Middle’s Sarah Chambers; Roy Waldron School’s Wendy Holt; Rutherford County Virtual School’s Robin Bollman; Siegel High’s Pam Phillips and Siegel Middle’s Sydney Beightol; Simon Springs Community School’s Kelli England; Smyrna Elementary’s Kelle Vance, Smyrna High’s Wally Luckeydoo, Smyrna Middle’s Amber Morton, Smyrna Primary’s Macklin Zehr and Smyrna West Alternative’s Ashley Popovich; Stewarts Creek Elementary’s Diana Mindigo, Stewarts Creek High’s Michael Agee and Stewarts Creek Middle’s Tina Duggin; Stewartsboro Elementary’s Brenda Cobble; Thurman Francis Arts Academy’s Kevin Thomas; Walter Hill Elementary’s Kammi Pearson; Whitworth-Buchanan Middle’s David Bonilla; and Wilson Elementary’s Andrea Argo, according to the announcement.
The district said all of the school-level winners will be honored at an event this spring. The announcement did not provide the event’s date or location.
