Atlanta Public Schools teachers and staff strutted down the red carpet at the 2025 APyeS! Awards on Nov. 1. The event, which began in 2016, honors the district’s teachers and support specialists.
The Board of Education acts as community representatives at the event to express gratitude to the district staff, said District 3 Board of Education member Ken Zeff. Zeff emphasized the importance of celebrating APS staff.
“Events like these are important because they show teachers and staff that their hard work and dedication are deeply valued,” Zeff said. “Celebrating them strengthens community, boosts morale and reminds everyone of the powerful impact educators have on students’ lives.”
One of the winners of the night was Briana Wilson, a kindergarten teacher at Fickett Elementary, who took home Teacher of the Year.
“When my name was called, I was overwhelmed with gratitude,” Wilson said. “I felt proud, humbled and honestly a little emotional because it reminded me why I show up every day for my students. This moment felt bigger than me. It felt like a celebration of my students, my school and every person who has poured into me along the way.”
APS Today highlighted Wilson’s “advancement of instructional practices beyond her classroom” as part of the reason for her win. Wilson believes teaching should go beyond the classroom.
“I am committed to bringing new instructional practices to my school, especially strategies that support student engagement, data driven teaching and meaningful use of technology,” Wilson said. “I believe these practices matter because great teaching should not stop at one classroom door. When we share ideas, support each other and build consistent expectations for students, we create a learning environment where every child can thrive.”
Phoenix Academy principal Yusuf Mohammed won Principal of the Year. Mohammed has been a principal for the past 14 years, ten of those spent in APS. Mohammed was a United States History teacher in New York before becoming a principal.
“I just love watching students go from that phase where they doubt themselves, so they believe in themselves, and they believe they can accomplish anything,” Mohammed said. “So for me, it’s working with students, inspiring students, and as a principal, now inspiring adults. I want my students to succeed, then go back to their communities to improve them. That motivates me, that cycle of learning, growing, then coming back to your community to help support your community so others could do the same thing.”
Wilson further explained that her goal as a teacher is to make students confident in themselves.
“My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that students learn best when they feel seen, valued and safe to explore who they are as learners,” Wilson said. “I focus on building strong relationships, creating a warm and structured classroom environment and designing instruction that excites curiosity. Every day, I make intentional choices that help students feel confident in themselves. Whether I am greeting them at the door, celebrating small wins or giving them opportunities to lead their learning, I want every child to leave my classroom knowing that they matter and that their voice has power.”
Zeff said the awards have an application process.
“Each set of the awards is done a little differently,” Zeff said. “For Teachers of the Year, each school selects a Teacher of the Year, and then the Teachers of the Year from each school can decide if they would like to apply for District Teacher of the Year at the elementary, middle and high school level, and they apply. Finalists are selected at each grade band. They undergo application recommendations as well as observations.”
Though the application process varies for each award The application process for the awards start on a school level then perceptive winners complete the district application, Mohammed described the extensive application he had to complete.
“A nomination from someone at my school, then after that, I had to complete an application, which included several essays, short answer questions, questions about my work, my career, my history,” Mohammed said. “It was a pretty tough process. Also had to include data that showed that my work helped lead to improvements in my school. So it was pretty robust and it was a lot, but it was a good process, but I did have to complete an application in order to qualify for the award. And then after that, I became a finalist, and then the ceremony occurred.”
In the Midtown cluster, Morningside Elementary School’s GO Team won team of the year. Zeff said he was excited to see the team receive this honor.
“There are so many wonderful moments of joy throughout the evening,” Zeff said. “What stuck with me was the breadth of the awards beyond the teacher and principal of the year. I was glad to see the Morningside GO Team recognized as the GO Team of the year. It was encouraging to see their tireless work, sometimes behind the scenes, get recognized by the whole district.”
To achieve his goals in school, Mohammed said he aims to create a community that fosters student growth and potential.
“My main goal is to inspire students to one believe in themselves, but also to focus on learning so they can prepare to be an asset in the real world and whatever they want to do,” Mohammed said. “Whether they want to be a doctor, lawyer, comedian, athlete, it all boils down to students being reflective, critical thinking, learning about themselves and who they are, and then taking all that they know and really helping change and move the world. I know that’s a big answer, but for me, my main goals each school year is to help students learn and grow and become a better version of themselves. To do that, we create adult communities who love students, support students, forgive students, right and inspire them to be their very best selves.”
Wilson explained how this event showcased the sense of community throughout the district.
The highlight of the night was seeing my school family cheering for me and feeling the love and support in the room,” Wilson said. “It was a moment that reminded me how community can lift you higher than you ever imagined. Sharing that moment with the people who see the work I put in every day meant everything to me.”
