Georgia’s Rachel Kinsaul named finalist for National Teacher of the Year

2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year Rachel Kinsaul, an agricultural science teacher at Morgan County High School, has been named one of five finalists for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced today.

Over the past year, Kinsaul has served as a statewide advocate for public education as the Georgia Teacher of the Year, highlighting the impact of hands-on, career-connected learning and elevating the voices of students and educators across the state. She will advance in the national selection process alongside four other finalists from across the country.

“Rachel Kinsaul exemplifies the power of teaching that connects learning to real life,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “Through agricultural education, she helps students build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of purpose that extends far beyond the classroom. Rachel’s commitment to her students, her community, and the teaching profession makes her an outstanding representative for Georgia, and I am proud to see her recognized on the national stage.”

The finalists will participate in interviews with the National Teacher of the Year Program’s Selection Committee. CCSSO will announce the 2026 National Teacher of the Year later this spring. The selected educator will spend the following year serving as a national ambassador and advocate for teachers and students across U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.

“I am honored and humbled to represent Georgia as a National Teacher of the Year finalist,” Kinsaul said. “This recognition reflects the students, colleagues, mentors, families, and communities who make this work so meaningful. Agricultural education teaches students how to collaborate, lead, and serve their communities, and I am proud to share the incredible work happening in Georgia classrooms with a national audience.”

Kinsaul is the second Georgia teacher to be named a national finalist in the last two years – Christy Todd, the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year, was named in 2024.

About 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year Rachel Kinsaul

Rachel Kinsaul, the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year, is an agricultural science teacher at Morgan County High School. She believes that preparing students to become productive, engaged members of their communities is at the heart of her work as an educator, and she focuses on helping students discover their strengths through leadership, collaboration, and hands-on learning.

Kinsaul is deeply committed to providing project-based learning opportunities that connect classroom instruction to real-world experiences. She created a floral design course in which students manage a monthly floral arrangement subscription program and design arrangements for local weddings, gaining experience in teamwork, design principles, and entrepreneurship.

She serves as the Morgan County High School National FFA Organization Chapter Advisor, coaching competitive teams and supporting student-led agricultural projects. Beyond the classroom, Kinsaul is actively involved in her community, serving as the Morgan County Farm Bureau President and a member of the Madison-Morgan Conservancy Board of Directors. She and her husband, Jason, were named the 2019 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Winners for Excellence in Agriculture and placed in the top ten nationally.

Kinsaul holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master of Science in Agriculture from the University of Georgia. She was recently named the 2025 College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Outstanding Alumni and is a 2024 recipient of the Milken Educator Award, often referred to as the Oscars of Education.

The Georgia Teacher of the Year takes a one-year sabbatical from the classroom to serve as an advocate for public education in Georgia, speaking to the public about the teaching profession and serving as an ex-officio member of the State Board of Education.

Day of Service for Schools and Districts

As Georgia’s 2026 Teacher of the Year, Kinsaul is encouraging schools and districts across the state to engage students in meaningful service learning through a Day of Service initiative focused on community connection, real-world learning, and civic responsibility.

The statewide Day of Service will be observed on March 18, 2026. Schools are encouraged to participate on that date or schedule their own service day, empowering districts to adapt the initiative to local needs.

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