Emily Allison, chorus teacher at Cherokee Bluff Middle School, has been named the 2025-26 Hall County School District Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Will Schofield and Deputy Superintendent Kevin Bales made the announcement Wednesday afternoon in Allison’s classroom, where they surprised her with the news. Cherokee Bluff Middle School administrators were also present.
Bales commended Allison for her commitment to her students and her dedication to maintaining high expectations. “Emily Allison exemplifies everything we hope for in an educator,” he said. “At Cherokee Bluff Middle School, she is known for her hard work, unwavering dedication, and powerful advocacy for her students.”
Principal Robert Wilson agreed, noting the positive impact she has had on the school’s chorus program and culture. “Emily does a fantastic job with our chorus program at Cherokee Bluff Middle School,” Wilson said. “She builds the confidence of her students while holding them to a high standard. She is the ultimate team player with her colleagues and isn’t afraid to hold them accountable as well. She plays a vital role in the development of the culture here at Cherokee Bluff Middle School.”
Allison, who is also a member of Cherokee Bluff Middle’s leadership team, expressed her appreciation for the recognition, Crediting her students and colleagues.
“Being named the Hall County School District Teacher of the Year is incredibly humbling,” she said. “I love the Hall County School District and the values we try to live out each school year. Getting to spend my days investing in fine arts and helping grow the chorus program in the Cherokee Bluff community has been a challenge that has pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. It is a gift I try to remember every day in my classroom.”
Allison continued, “I appreciate the recognition, but I also want to share this win with the students and my fine arts team members who push me to be the best version of myself because they deserve nothing less than my best.”
Accolades have been pouring in for Allison, who was also named Music Educator of the Year by the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) earlier in the year. As the Hall County School District’s Teacher of the Year, Allison will be presented with a $10,000 check from the Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation, which has provided this honorarium to every HCSD Teacher of the Year since 2019. Allison will compete for the 2027 Georgia Teacher of the Year honor.
