RCS announces 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year

Three teachers selected as district level winners representing elementary, middle and high school levels

Rutherford County Schools has announced its 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year. Three teachers were chosen as district level winners and will be submitted for recognition at the regional and potentially state level.  

All award-winners will be honored at a public banquet at Embassy Suites on February 25, 2025, starting at 3:30 p.m.

The district level winners are:
PK-4 Grade – Katie Rafacz, Barfield Elementary School
5-8 Grade – Brandon Deal, Christiana Middle School
9-12 Grade – Caitlyn Osborne-Parris, Blackman High School

Rafacz, Deal and Osborne-Parris all participated in a Q&A in which they described their favorites parts of teaching and biggest influences, while offering advice to those new to the teaching profession. 

You can read more about each representative by clicking their name above. Rafacz, Deal and Osborne-Parris have been submitted to the regional level for review and possible recognition as part of the Tennessee Teacher of the Year program.

The following is a complete list of the 2024-2025 RCS Teachers of the Year: 

• Katie Rafacz – Barfield Elementary School
• Kelli Sims – Blackman Elementary School
• Caitlyn Osborne-Parris – Blackman High School
• Lucrecia Gregg – Blackman Middle School
• Carie Batcheler – Brown’s Chapel Elementary School
• Taryn McCaleb – Buchanan Elementary School
• Jeania Smith — Cedar Grove Elementary School
• Chris Click — Central Magnet School
• Tara Polson — Christiana Elementary School 
• Brandon Deal – Christiana Middle School
• Dr. Keith Tobias – Daniel-McKee Alternative School
• Amber Givens – David Youree Elementary School
• Leigh Ann Nichols – Eagleville School
• Jill Greenfield Ethridge – Holloway High School
• Jana Hawkins – Homer Pittard Campus School
• Kayla Millians – John Colemon Elementary School
• Elizabeth Fancher – Kittrell Elementary School
• Kara Birdwell – Lascassas Elementary School
• Sonji Newman – LaVergne High School
• Frances O’Riordan – LaVergne Lake Elementary School
• Jahmon Drake – LaVergne Middle School
• Emily Thompson – McFadden School of Excellence
• Ty Jessup – Oakland High School
• Bradley Underwood – Oakland Middle School
• Shelly Brown – Plainview Elementary School
• Kelly Brown – RCS Virtual School 
• Brittany Rhinehart – Riverdale High School
• Christine Mann – Rock Springs Elementary School
• Allana Pierce – Rock Springs Middle School
• Tina Martin – Rockvale Elementary School
• Rachel Nichols – Rockvale High School
• Katrina Baker – Rockvale Middle School
• Hannah Paszotta – Rocky Fork Elementary School
• Katlin Vega – Rocky Fork Middle School
• Toya Kadeba – Roy Waldron Elementary School
• Lisa Snetsinger – Siegel High School
• Jennifer Hager – Siegel Middle School
• Theresa Canada – Simon Springs Community School
• Kelly Feaster – Smyrna Elementary School
• Dr. Courtney Pruitt – Smyrna High School
• Sweety Jiten Anand – Smyrna Middle School
• Angela Helton – Smyrna Primary School
• Scottia Davis – Smyrna West Alternative School
• Erin Turner – Stewarts Creek Elementary School
• Lauren Bratten DiCiaula – Stewarts Creek High School
• Kevin Welch – Stewarts Creek Middle School
• Rachael Peterson – Stewartsboro Elementary School
• Dulcie Heim – Thurman Francis Arts Academy
• Gina McClanahan – Walter Hill Elementary School
• Vincent Nagatomo – Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School
• Lydia Smith – Wilson Elementary School