Savannah Schools Announce Teacher of the Year Finalists
The district named ten finalists for its top teaching and instructional support honors during a special reception.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Administration
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The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System has narrowed its field of candidates for the 2028 Teacher of the Year and Instructional Support Person of the Year awards. A total of ten finalists were selected from 107 school-level representatives.
Why it matters
The recognition program honors excellence among the district staff and provides a platform to celebrate significant contributions to student success. These finalists represent the high standards of instruction maintained within the Savannah-Chatham County school community.
The district evaluated 107 educators to reach a final group of five Teacher of the Year candidates and five Instructional Support Person of the Year finalists.
The players
Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
This is the public educational institution serving students across the Savannah area.
Dr. Denise Watts
She serves as the Superintendent of the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.
Jenkins High School
This school serves as a secondary education facility within the Savannah-Chatham County district.
The details
The announcement took place at Jenkins High School, where Superintendent Dr. Denise Watts and local school board members gathered to honor the representatives. The selected finalists now prepare for a final evaluation process leading to the district-wide titles.
Timeline
October 22, 2026: The finalists were announced during a recognition event.
2027: The district will host an annual gala to select the final winners.
Culture Shift
This district recognition cycle follows the established model of the National Teacher of the Year Program to foster excellence in local education. Such awards programs reflect a growing emphasis on professional retention and staff morale within the public school system.
These awards provide parents and students with insight into the educators who are currently shaping the learning environment in the district. The event highlights the educators who may serve as key mentors for local students during the 2027-2028 academic year.
The takeaway
Celebrating high-performing staff serves as a vital component of maintaining a high-quality educational environment for the entire community. Residents can support these efforts by participating in school-level recognition events throughout the year.
What happens next
The winners of the Teacher of the Year and Instructional Support Person of the Year awards will be announced at an annual gala scheduled for 2027.
Further reading
Find more details on local school board actions and policies in the Savannah Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ABC 22 - WJCL Savannah.
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