Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced the recipients of its prestigious Teacher Assistant of the Year, Beginning Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards at the fourth annual Gem Awards ceremony at the Dale F. Halton Theater at Central Piedmont Community College on May 5.

This year, the spotlight shines on the remarkable accomplishments of the following recipients:

Teacher Assistant of the Year: Clarice Surles, Berryhill School (left)

Beginning Teacher of the Year: Reese Finnie, Bruns Avenue Elementary School (center)

Teacher of the Year: Rebeckah Hauss, Metro School (right)

 

The Gem Awards, presented by the Equitable Foundation, is a celebration of excellence in education and serves as a thank you to CMS educators and their dedication and commitment to their students, families and school communities. 

“You are truly the backbone of this district and the heartbeat of our classrooms,” said Stephanie Sneed, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education chair. “To every educator in this room, what you do matters, who you are matters and your impact will outlive us all.”

Hauss also received a vehicle courtesy of Hendrick Automotive Group and Honda of Concord. 

“I’ve said I wanted to be a teacher since the age of three,” said Hauss during her remarks. Hauss thanked her family, mentors and Metro School colleagues for helping develop her into the educator she is today. 

“I would also like to shout-out my students, both past and present,” said Hauss. “You guys are the reason I get up every day to come to work. You are my why.”

In addition to its winners, CMS also acknowledges and celebrates all of the outstanding honorees and finalists for the 2025-26 Teacher Assistant, Beginning Teacher and Teacher of the Year awards. 

 

2025-26 Teacher Assistant of the Year finalists

Miranda Bowens, Ridge Road Middle School

Aquisia Broome, Charles H. Parker Academic Center

DeShaun Connor, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

Jameka Forte’, Ranson Middle School

Derrick Graves, Highland Renaissance Academy

Chania Sanders, Grand Oak Elementary School

Clarice Surles, Berryhill School

Samantha Tillman, Harding University High School

Journey Warren-Henderson, Lansdowne Elementary School

Rhonda Watson, Providence High School

Ashley Wells, Hickory Grove Elementary

 

2025-26 Beginning Teacher of the Year finalists

Breanna Beatty, Huntingtowne Farms Elementary School

Gwyndolyn Daniels, Wilson STEM Academy

Reese Finnie, Bruns Avenue Elementary School

Emily Henderson, Huntersville Elementary School

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jacob Kelly, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

April McClendon, Eastway Middle School

Sofia Pertinez, Knights View Elementary School

Elena Sheward, Myers Park High School

Victoria A. Walters, Rocky River High School

D’Onna Webster, Thomasboro Academy

Lexy Yeager, Greenway Park Elementary School

 

2025-26 Teacher of the Year finalists

Madeline Bowling, Winding Springs Elementary School

Antoinette Brandon, Ed.D., Winterfield Elementary School

Holly Corbit, Billingsville-Cotswold Elementary School

Tiara Davis, Harding University High School

Jennifer Gallagher, Ardrey Kell High School

Rebeckah Hauss, Metro School

Molly McKee, Irwin Academic Center

Abbey Saal-Dose, Highland Mill Montessori School

Seon Sloley, Ed.D., Southwest Middle School

Brittany Watkins, Francis Bradley Middle School

Courtney Weathers, Dilworth Elementary School

“Across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, our mission is clear: To create learning environments where every student can discover their brilliance and imagine a future without limits,” said Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill. “That mission comes to life because of educators like you. Thank you for being the gems in our classrooms, for illuminating endless possibilities for our students and making our entire district stronger.”