Buncombe County Schools (BCS) is proud to announce its 2026-27 Teachers of the Year, recognizing outstanding educators from schools across the district.
Each year, every BCS school selects one educator to serve as its Teacher of the Year. These honorees then advance to represent their schools at the district level, where finalists are selected to compete for the title of Buncombe County Schools Teacher of the Year.
The overall county winner will be announced in March. That educator will go on to represent BCS in the North Carolina Teacher of the Year program, with the opportunity to advance to the national level.
The Teacher of the Year program was established to honor exceptional teachers who consistently go above and beyond to provide compassionate, skilled and engaging instruction for students. The program highlights the vital role educators play in shaping student success and strengthening school communities.
Buncombe County Schools congratulates all of its 2026-27 Teachers of the Year and thanks them for their dedication, leadership and commitment to students.
AT LARGE
BCSVA – Julia Doran
Community High School – Tonya Gesing
PEP – Elena Oian
BCEC/BCCI – Anneliese Shreve*
Nesbitt Discovery Academy – Wendy Wheeler
ENKA
Enka High — Kevin Young
Enka Middle – Lee Ann Davis*
Enka Intermediate – Angie Hall
Sand Hill-Venable Elementary – Alicia Eddington
Pisgah Elementary – Kevin Drury
Candler Elementary – Marcela Jimenez
Hominy Valley Elementary – Aimee Gaston
ERWIN
Clyde A. Erwin High – Zachary Wooten*
Clyde A. Erwin Middle – Carrie Pratt
Joe P. Eblen Intermediate – Angie Hughes
Johnston Elementary – Anna Lowe
Emma Elementary – Lauri Burton
West Buncombe Elementary – Lauren Teague
Woodfin Elementary – Samantha Marzullo
Leicester Elementary – Michelle Barry
REYNOLDS
A.C. Reynolds High – Kelly Kanelos
A.C. Reynolds Middle – Amy Lewis
Cane Creek Middle School – Adam Stewart
Charles C. Bell Elementary – Anna Kearney*
Oakley Elementary – Juan David Chavarro
Fairview Elementary – Leah McMinn
Haw Creek Elementary – Hope Lukacena
ROBERSON
T.C. Roberson High – Tristen Plemmons
Valley Springs Middle – Kasey Gruen
C.T. Koontz Intermediate – Jaime Goodwin*
W.W. Estes Elementary – Missy Hagler
Avery’s Creek Elementary – Kelsey Crowell
Glen Arden Elementary – Kirsten Cooper
OWEN
Charles D. Owen High – Sgt. Jeff Garland*
Charles D. Owen Middle – Ashley Gillan
Black Mountain Primary – Tatum Young
Black Mountain Elementary – Amanda Hollifield
W.D. Williams Elementary – Becky Sisler
NORTH BUNCOMBE
North Buncombe High – Wil Maney
North Buncombe Middle – Laura Hintz*
North Windy Ridge Intermediate – Marilynn Whitcher
Weaverville Primary – Taunia Harter
Weaverville Elementary – Robin Ingle
Barnardsville Elementary – Kelli Buchanan
North Buncombe Elementary – Andrea Banoy
*Denotes district winners