Morgan County Charter Schools is celebrating another major recognition for Georgia 2026 Teacher of the Year Rachel Kinsaul.
The MCHS Agricultural Science teacher was recently named a finalist for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) award by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).
Kinsaul is one of five contenders for the national award, which includes nominees selected from the 56 state teachers of the year.
Outside her role at Morgan County High School, Kinsaul serves as president of the Morgan County Farm Bureau and as a board member of both the Madison-Morgan Conservancy and the Morgan County Farmland Protection Board.
According to a recent MCSS press release, as the Georgia Teacher of the Year, Kinsaul has spent the last year advocating for the state’s public education.
With the role, she “highlighted the impact of hands-on, career-connected learning and elevating the voices of students and educators across Georgia.”
MCSS Superintendent Dr. Susan Stancil acknowledged the award consideration as more than just an honor for Kinsaul, but also for Morgan County and the state of Georgia.
“Rachel’s passion for her students, her innovative leadership, and her dedication to connecting and learning with community service inspire everyone she meets, educators, students, and families alike,” Stancil said. “She represents the very best of Morgan County and Georgia, showing what’s possible when heart, vision, and commitment come together.”
Georgia’s State School Superintendent Richard Woods also recognized Kinsaul for being a finalist for the award, noting that she exemplifies “the power of teaching that connects learning to real life.”
“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,” Woods said. “Through agricultural education, she helps students build confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of purpose that extends far beyond the classroom.”
As a finalist for NTOY, Kinsaul will travel to Washington, D.C., and interview with the award’s selection committee. The winner of the 2026 award will be announced later this spring, and the sole finalist will “serve a yearlong role as a national ambassador” to emphasize educators’ role nationwide.
“I am honored and humbled to represent Georgia as a National Teacher of the Year finalist. This recognition reflects the students, colleagues, mentors, families, and communities who make this work so meaningful,” Kinsaul said. “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.”