Haynes Bridge Middle School teacher Lanae Dickstein was named the school's 2026-27 teacher of the year at Fulton County Schools' (FCS) annual Legacy of Excellence Awards on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Dickstein was among more than 200 educators honored at the ceremony, held at the Georgia International Convention Center ballroom, Appen Media reported. Each of the district's 101 schools selected one teacher of the year and one school or support professional of the year. More than 1,000 people filled the ballroom as honorees walked to the stage.
The Haynes Bridge Middle School Band's account on X identified Dickstein as the school's director of bands and congratulated her on the recognition.
Board President Kristin McCabe co-hosted the event alongside WSB-TV news anchor Wendy Corona. McCabe was attending for the fourth time as a board member. She called it her favorite event of the year.
"It is necessary to recognize those that make a difference in our children's lives," McCabe said at the ceremony.
Superintendent Mike Looney told the crowd that students will remember how educators made them feel long after they leave the district.
The district's overall teacher of the year went to Jennifer Priddy, an English Language Arts teacher at Crabapple Middle School in Roswell. Priddy has taught since 1996 and joined FCS 15 years ago. She leads the school's student-led news crew and learned she had won the districtwide honor during a live broadcast in April. At the school level, Priddy won after a contest between three finalists decided by which candidate students cheered for the loudest.
Crabapple Middle principal Stephanie Haga praised Priddy's commitment, saying Priddy had turned down a chance to leave the classroom because she wanted to stay with students.
Vahnesa Jourdan, a district human resources employee, won overall support professional of the year. James Grantham of Centennial High School earned school professional of the year.
Student performers played throughout the ceremony. The Westlake High School Jazz Ensemble and New Prospect Elementary School Musical Theatre performed during the lunch hour, and the Roswell High School Drumline escorted Priddy to the stage. A Banneker High School chorus member sang the National Anthem.
At the Fulton County Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17, Looney gave special recognition to the Legacy of Excellence honorees, according to the board bulletin. The board also approved Jessica Lundy as the new principal at Haynes Bridge Middle School at that meeting.
Separately, the board recognized Northview High School for earning National Magnet Certification through Magnet Schools of America.
