New Manchester High School Information Technology teacher Dr. Latoya Thomas prides herself on transforming her classroom into a space where imagination leads, innovation thrives and students are empowered to believe that anything is possible.
That dedication was recognized on Thursday when she was named the 2025-2026 Douglas County School System Teacher of the Year.
Superintendent Dr. Trent North presented Dr. Thomas with the district’s top teaching honor during the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet, held this year at Douglas County High School. In addition to gifts donated by several generous businesses, Dr. North also presented Dr. Thomas with a check for $5,000.
Dr. Thomas rose to the top in a months-long judging process. Twelve judges, including DCSS
educators and community leaders, scored applications from all 34 school-level TOTYs and sat in on classroom observations and interviews with six semifinalists. All 34 teachers were celebrated on Thursday at the annual event.
Dr. Thomas was previously named the 2024 Georgia Business Education Association Teacher of the Year and the 2021 FBLA New Teacher of the Year.
Judges were impressed with her passion for her students and her dedication to service in the community.
One judge wrote, “She shares her purpose. She has a bright light. You can’t help but be drawn to her.”
Another judge said, “She has a heart to serve her community and encourages her students to do the same.”
Two other educators were recognized as TOTY finalists — Winston Elementary School first-grade teacher Emily Moss was named the Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Chestnut Log Middle School English/Language Arts teacher Felisa Holston was named the Middle School Teacher of the Year.
In addition to Dr. Thomas, Holston and Moss, other semifinalists for DCSS Teacher of the Year were Brandi Rayner from New Manchester Elementary School, Kelly Bunker from Fairplay Middle School and Michelle Hanna from Douglas County High School.
Dr. Thomas will represent Douglas County for various speaking engagements over the next year and will move on to compete for Georgia Teacher of the Year honors.