Houston County School District Names 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year
Tuesday, August 4th, 2026
Mrs. Brianna Walker of Perry High School was named the 2026-2027 Houston County Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made at the District’s Opening Session held on July 28. She received nearly $14,000 in cash and prizes donated by businesses and organizations from throughout Houston County.
Mrs. Walker is a graduate of the Houston County School District and earned her bachelor’s degree from Middle Georgia State University. She began her teaching career at Warner Robins Middle School before moving to Perry High School in 2021. Mrs. Walker earned her gifted endorsement and a certificate in Visual Thinking from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She graduated in 2023 with her Masters of Art in Art and Design from Kennesaw State University. Mrs. Walker sponsors the National Art Honor Society and co-sponsors Student Council. She is also a part of the school-wide leadership team.
Mrs. Walker said, “My students are encouraged to experiment, reflect, and grow, knowing that effort and progress matter more than perfection. I view my students as clay: full of potential and ready to be shaped as they discover the artists they will become.”
Four Teacher of the Year finalists were also announced as follows:
· Mindy Brett, Hilltop Elementary School
· Dr. Lindsey Gentry, Houston College & Career Academy
· Bridget Eads, Northside Elementary School
· Jamie Mayhew, Warner Robins High School
Also recognized during the event as a Teacher of the Year were:
Bonaire Elementary School........................
Bonaire Middle School........................
Bonaire Primary School........................
C.B. Watson Primary School ..............................
Centerville Elementary School........................
David Perdue Elementary School........................
David Perdue Primary School........................
Eagle Springs Elementary School........................
Feagin Mill Middle School........................
Houston County High School........................
Houston County WIN Academy.......................
Huntington Middle School........................
Kings Chapel Elementary School........................
Lake Joy Elementary School........................
Lake Joy Primary School........................
Langston Road Elementary School........................
Langston Road Primary School........................
Matt Arthur Elementary School........................
Matt Arthur Primary School........................
Miller Elementary School........................
Morningside Elementary School........................
Mossy Creek Middle School........................
Northside High School........................
Northside Middle School........................
Parkwood Primary School........................
Pearl Stephens Elementary School........................
Perry Middle School........................
Quail Run Elementary School........................
Russell Elementary School........................
Shirley Hills Elementary School........................
Thomson Middle School........................
Tucker Elementary School........................
Veterans High School........................
Warner Robins High School........................
Warner Robins Middle School........................
Westside Elementary School........................
Gifted Teacher of the Year..........................
Media Specialist of the Year.......................... Brette Callaway, Pearl Stephens Elementary School
At the same program, the District announced the School-level and District-level Support Person of the Year.
Callie Johnston, a fleet manager from the Transportation Department, was selected as the District-level Support Person of the Year, and Bonita Boland, a custodian from Perry High School, was selected as the School-level Support Person of the Year.
Additional District-level Support Person of the Year finalists included:
District & School Effectiveness.................
Human Resources & District Operations....................
Student Services......................
Superintendent/Deputy Superintendent’s Office........................
Teaching & Learning......................
Additional School-level Support Person of the Year finalists included:
David Perdue Primary School........................
Eagle Springs Elementary School........................
Houston County High School........................
Lake Joy Primary School........................
Premier Sponsors included the Development Authority of Houston County, Emory Healthcare, Flint Energies, H.E.A. Federal Credit Union, PBK Architects, Parrish Construction, The Roderick Group, Southside Baptist Church, Totem Business Solutions and Yancy Bus Sales & Service. Signature Sponsors included Central Georgia Technical College and Robins Financial Credit Union. Gold Sponsors were Audio Enhancement, Brown’s Eye Center – Highway 96, Corebridge Financial, Cox Communications, and Synovus.
As the Houston County School District Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Walker was presented the keys to a car to be driven for a year, compliments of Wingate Ford in Perry. More than 50 local businesses and community organizations donated other gifts for the Teachers of the Year and the Support Person of the Year finalists. A full list of contributors can be found on our website at www.hcbe.net/openingsession.
A full video of Opening Session can be found on the Houston County School District’s Facebook page.
