Rachel Kinsaul presented with the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year Award
With more than $74 billion in economic impact every year, agribusiness is Georgia’s leading industry. Fittingly, Rachel Kinsaul, an agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor at Morgan County High School, is the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year.
“Rachel Kinsaul opens up possibilities for her students every day – in agriculture and beyond,” said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “She is a standout example of the hands-on learning opportunities that Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education opens up and the life-changing power of an excellent teacher in the classroom. I know she will be an incredible advocate for public education in the state of Georgia and will shine a light on the rich opportunities our K-12 schools provide.”
Kinsaul says she is committed to providing project-based learning (PBL) opportunities for her students. She even created a floral design class, through which her students have gained real-world experience by managing a monthly floral arrangement subscription program and providing arrangements for real weddings in the local community.
As an agricultural educator, Rachel Kinsaul believes that preparing her students to be productive community members is her most important job. She focuses her efforts on pushing students to find the best versions of themselves by becoming community leaders through agricultural education.
She serves as the Morgan County High School National FFA Organization Chapter Advisor, training competitive teams and assisting members in developing student-led agricultural projects. Rachel 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. She serves as the Morgan County Farm Bureau President and is a member of the Madison-Morgan Conservancy Board of Directors.
Kinsaul holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master of Science in Agriculture from the University of Georgia and was recently named the 2025 College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Outstanding Alumni. She is also a 2025 recipient of the Milken Educator Award, known as the Oscars of Education.
Jade Thomas of Houston County was honored as Runner-Up. She teaches social studies and English language arts to fourth graders at Lake Joy Elementary School and prioritizes creating a classroom environment “where students are welcomed, loved, and fully engaged in learning every day.” She served as an active-duty Marine from 2007 to 2015, and her military experiences led her to become a cofounder of the school’s Military Kids Club.
