Lake Joy Elementary’s Jade Thomas named 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year runner-up
Jade Thomas, a fourth-grade teacher and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, earned statewide recognition for her work with students at Lake Joy Elementary in Warner Robins.
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Lake Joy Elementary’s Jade Thomas has been named the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year runner-up, according to a Facebook post from the Houston County School District.
The announcement was made at a banquet at Lanier Islands that celebrated all district teachers of the year.
In its post, the district congratulated Thomas for her continued impact in the classroom and thanked her for “your steadfast commitment to the students in our District and love for teaching.”
“You are an excellent example of a dedicated educator who puts kids first everyday,” the post said. “We are incredibly proud of YOU!”
Thomas, a fourth-grade English language arts and social studies teacher, was previously named one of 10 finalists for the statewide award by the Georgia Department of Education.
She is also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and co-founded the school’s Military Kids Club, which supports children of military families.
According to the Georgia Department of Education, Rachel Kinsaul, an agricultural science teacher at Morgan County High School, was named the state’s Teacher of the Year. Kinsaul will serve as an ambassador for public education across the state and will also participate in the competitive selection process for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, the department said in a separate social media post.
