Submitted by
Grayson Williams
Hart County Charter System
The Hart County Charter System is proud to announce its new class of Teachers of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year.
The following teachers were voted by their colleagues to be the next Teacher of the Year for their respective schools:
• Samantha Burton, Hartwell Elementary School (HES);
• Meredith Dunn, North Hart Elementary School (NHES)
• Lisa Fanczi, Hart County High School (HCHS);
• Leigh Floyd, South Hart Elementary School (SHES); and
• Robyn Rice, Hart County Middle School (HCMS).
Burton is a Kindergarten teacher and is in her 13th year of teaching at HES.
Dunn is a physical education teacher and is in her fourth year of teaching at NHES.
Fanczi is a special education teacher and is in her fourth year of teaching at HCHS.
Floyd is a fourth grade teacher and is in her seventh year of teaching at SHES.
Rice is an eighth grade science teacher and is in her 12th year of teaching at HCMS.
“I am extremely proud of these outstanding educators,” said Superintendent Jennifer Carter. “To be selected as your school’s Teacher of the Year by your peers is truly special. It speaks volumes about the impact these individuals have made in their classrooms and school communities. This recognition highlights the respect they’ve earned from colleagues, students and families alike. Please join me in recognizing their efforts and commitment to excellence in education.”
Each school’s staff voted on their candidates for Teacher of the Year based on the following criteria:
• A certified public school classroom teacher with a valid and current Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) Professional or Advanced/Lead Professional certificate in prekindergarten through 12th grade. Special education, physical education, art, music and ROTC are eligible, as well as media specialists.
• Full-time, with a minimum of three years of classroom teaching experience.
• Is an exceptional, dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled teacher planning to continue in active teaching status.
• Is an expert in the field who advances growth for students of all backgrounds and abilities.
• Builds collaborative relationships with colleagues, students and families to create a school culture of success.
• Plays an active and valuable role in the community as well as at school.
• Deliberately connects the classroom to the community to impact student growth and learning.
• As a lifelong learner and teacher leader, they utilize innovation to create learning experiences within and beyond the classroom.
• Expresses themselves in an engaging and clear way, conveying the classroom experience to a variety of audiences.
• A teacher in Hart County for at least three consecutive years (including the current year) with plans to return the following school year.
• Must be a full-time teacher.
The Teachers of the Year were recognized at the regular Hart County Board of Education meeting May 11, and the 2026-2027 System Teacher of the Year will be announced at the district’s annual convocation in July.