Clarke Central High School’s 2025 Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year are shown. The Clarke County School District announced all building-level winners in a press release on Sept. 9, with district winners to be announced on Oct. 23. “These individuals serve as CCSD ambassadors both in our buildings and throughout the community and, as such, exemplify the highest level of commitment to our district’s call of ‘raising the bar in pursuit of excellence,’” Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott stated in the press release. Graphic by Lea D’Angelo
Special education department teacher Juanita Nash and Multi-Classroom Leader Lawanna Knight were recognized by the CCSD on Sept. 9.
Clarke Central High School special education department teacher Juanita Nash and Multi-Classroom Leader Lawanna Knight were named CCHS’s Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year, respectively.
The Clarke County School District announced all building-level winners on Sept. 9, each of which were nominated by a member of their school’s community and met the competition’s criteria set by the Georgia Department of Education.
“These individuals serve as CCSD ambassadors both in our buildings and throughout the community and, as such, exemplify the highest level of commitment to our district’s call of ‘raising the bar in pursuit of excellence,’” Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott stated in a Sept. 9 press release.
A timeline shows the teachers awarded as Clarke Central High School Teacher of the Year from 2001 to 2025. CCHS special education department teacher Juanita Nash, who was named CCHS’s 2025 TOTY, was announced as a finalist for the award on Sept. 3. “I’m excited, happy and nervous at the same time because I don’t know what to expect. I’m most excited about being (a finalist for the) first time. This is a big win for me, if I can win it,” Nash said. Data compiled by David Ragsdale, Christian Barner and Jodi Bolga, photos courtesy of ODYSSEY Media Group and Gladius yearbook archives, timeline by Lea D’Angelo
The district received almost 700 nominations that were then voted on by each school’s faculty and staff for their building. CCHS English department co-chair Meghan McNeeley, science department teacher Sophia Campbell, Associate Athletic Director Chris Aiken and Nash were announced as school-level finalists on Sept. 3 to preface that of the official winner.
“I’m very honored to be named Teacher of the Year. I appreciate everyone here at Clarke Central High School,” Nash said. “We have some very special teachers, principals, counselors, therapists, coaches, security officers, building maintenance crew and parents here at Clarke Central High School who help children to find their paths.”
“The feeling (of being recognized) goes beyond amazing. It’s fulfilling. I’m very grateful. It is very validating to not only be seen for who I am but also rewarded for my hard work and effort.”
— Lawanna Knight,
CCHS Multi-Classroom Leader and 2025 Support Professional of the Year
Support Professional of the Year finalists were also named on Sept. 3, with Knight being recognized alongside CCHS Nurse Jackie Coyle and Security Officer Chris Hood.
“The feeling (of being recognized) goes beyond amazing. It’s fulfilling. I’m very grateful. It is very validating to not only be seen for who I am but also rewarded for my hard work and effort,” Knight said.
District-level winners for both awards will be announced at the annual Teacher of the Year and Support Professional of the Year awards banquet on Oct. 23, with the winning TOTY to go on to the state-level competition.
“We are proud that (Nash and Knight) will represent CCHS in the district competition,” Dr. Summer Smith, CCHS Associate Principal and Teacher of the Year Building Selection Committee chair wrote in an email to CCHS staff on Sept. 9. “(They are) great educators who care about students and staff and help to make CCHS the best it can be.”
