The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) named Elizabeth Gunnels, a fifth-grade teacher at Liberty Elementary School and a graduate of the Anderson University College of Education, the 2025–2026 District Teacher of the Year.
Gunnels was selected from among all school-level Teachers of the Year who were honored at the annual SDPC Support Employee and Teacher of the Year Banquet, held on August 19. The banquet celebrates exceptional teachers and support staff across SDPC, recognizing their dedication to student success and their contributions to building strong school communities. The evening concluded with the announcement of Gunnels as District Teacher of the Year.
Gunnels has served in education for 11 years and currently teaches Reading, English Language Arts, and Social Studies at Liberty Elementary School. She is known for creating a classroom that blends rigorous academics with a culture of care and belonging. Her innovative use of “learning ladders” helps students track their progress step-by-step, and her “CELEBRATE button” tradition ensures that every milestone—big or small—is recognized with joy and encouragement.
Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that “education is both hard work and heart work.” As she tells her students: “Once a Gunnels kid, always a Gunnels kid. I’m so proud of you.” That phrase is hanging above her classroom door – the last thing her students see before they leave her room. “It’s my promise to every student who enters my classroom: you will always belong, and I will always cheer for you,” said Gunnels.
“Mrs. Gunnels represents the very best of SDPC,” said Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck. “Her ability to combine high expectations with deep care for her students makes a lasting impact. She is a shining example of how great teaching transforms lives.”
Beyond her classroom, Gunnels sponsors Liberty Elementary’s Beta Club, mentors new teachers, and plays a key role in school-wide events. “Elizabeth engages parents and families through constant communication and has been a driving force in making Liberty Elementary a welcoming, student-centered school,” said Lowell Haynes, Principal of Liberty Elementary. “She inspires peers, empowers students, and strengthens families and the community.”
Families share similar praise. One parent described her as “that teacher” — the kind whose influence lasts a lifetime — recalling how she supported their daughter through challenges with compassion and encouragement.
Another family credited her with helping their son overcome pandemic-related learning gaps and finish elementary school with confidence.
In her Teacher of the Year application, Gunnels identified chronic absenteeism as one of the most urgent challenges facing education today. She believes schools must address root causes by fostering supportive environments, engaging families, and providing proactive interventions. “If families are not getting their basic needs met, then students aren’t going to learn—much less want to learn,” she wrote.
Her willingness to tackle complex issues, while remaining deeply grounded in the relationships she builds with students, reflects the balance of passion and professionalism that earned her this recognition.