JCSS Foundation, System Honor System-level Winners

2025-26 JCSS Teacher of the Year Kristin Butkovich, of Legacy Knoll Middle School.

The Jackson County School System named its 2025-26 Teacher, Support Person and Bus Driver of the Year during the fourth annual Teacher and Support Person of the Year Banquet Thursday night in Braselton. The system honored each school-level Teacher and Support Person of the Year, along with a Support Person of the Year from the Central Office. The system also recognized three Bus Driver of the Year finalists before naming the system winners. Each honoree in attendance was awarded $500 on behalf of the Board of Education.

Kristin Butkovich, a seventh grade math teacher from Legacy Knoll Middle School, was named the system's Teacher of the Year, while Haley Meier, an instructional coach from Gum Springs Elementary School, was named the system's Support Person of the Year. Rhonda Collins was named the system's Bus Driver of the Year.

Butkovich was awarded an additional $1,500, thanks to generous donations from Heyward Allen Toyota and Peach State Federal Credit Union. Meier and Collins were each awarded an additional $1,250, courtesy of the JCSS Foundation.