The Fannin County School System’s Teacher of the Year is Katy Roberson, a first grade teacher at West Fannin Elementary School.
The honor was announced and celebrated at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet October 3 at the Fannin County Agriculture Center.
Roberson attributed her Teacher of the Year success to former West Fannin Principal Dr. Lucas Roof, saying to him, “This is all because of you.”
Allison Danner, current principal at West Fannin, said of Roberson, “She absolutely amazes me. I’ve known her as both a colleague, supervisor, and a parent to her kids,” having worked closely with Roberson during her teaching career. “Her compassion goes above and beyond for her students.”
Danner went on to say, “Watching her grow has been an amazing adventure.”
“Katy is a teacher leader,” said Amber Mitchell, coworker and STEM teacher at West Fannin.
The Teacher of the Year title is for the 2025 school year. Roberson will go on to represent the county school system in the state-wide competition.
The nominees for Fannin’s award included Roberson, Katherine Franklin with Fannin Middle School, Laura Babcock with Blue Ridge Elementary, runnerup Tessa Fowler of East Fannin Elementary, and Hope Sowers of Fannin County High School.
The awards for Teacher of the Year were presented by School Superintendent Shannon Dillard-Miller, Chief Operations Officer Darren Danner, and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Roof.
Board of Education members also spoke and praised the school system’s teachers for their hard work and dedication to the children.
Chairman of the Board of Education Terry Bramlett said, “This is a very elite group of teachers.”
“The impact these teachers have on the youth in our community... I don’t know how to quantify it,” said Bramlett, “Thank you for doing your job and for doing it well,” Bramlett said.
Board member Bobby Bearden spoke as well, saying, “I am blessed beyond compare to be associated with folks like you [teachers.]”
To Roberson, he said, “You were chosen for a reason by your peers.”