Teacher of the Year

The National Teacher of the Year Award was established in 1974 to recognize exemplary teachers who utilize cutting-edge methods, techniques and activities to provide stimulus and visibility to family and consumer sciences in elementary and secondary education.

National Award Sponsor: 

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2026 Recipients

Press Release 

Read the official announcement and congratulations to our 2026 National Teacher of the Year recipient here. 

Learn More About the Teachers of the Year

Explore the work of each educator and learn more about their impact on schools and communities nationwide.

Shawna Wilson, CFCS, MN
National Teacher of the Year

2026 AAFCS National Teacher of the Year
Shawna Wilson, CFCS
Shakopee High School
Minnesota Affiliate 
Program Title: “The Capstone Experience: From Awareness to Action – Cultivating Leaders and Creating Change”

Shawna Wilson is a Certified Family and Consumer Sciences educator with 19 years of experience designing authentic, student-centered learning experiences that prepare learners for college, career, and community impact. She currently teaches at Shakopee High School, where she leads courses in Exploring Education and Multicultural Education designing authentic learning experiences that integrate college credit, field-based practice, and community partnerships. Shawna is an FCCLA adviser and serves as the Grow Your Own Grant Coordinator, overseeing a $750,000 Minnesota Department of Education grant focused on expanding and diversifying the teacher pipeline. A former instructional coach and AVID site coordinator, she is widely recognized for sustainable & innovative program development, collaborative leadership, and elevating education as a vital career pathway. Shawna holds a master’s degree in Family Education and has received multiple honors, including the 2026 MAFCS Teacher of the Year award and 2021 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist. 

Teacher of the Year Merit Finalist 
Lanier Lebby Alston 

2026 AAFCS National Teacher of the Year Merit Finalist
Lanier Lebby Alston
Hand Middle School
South Carolina Affiliate
Program Title: “Scarves of Comfort”

Lanier Alston graduated from South Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion Design with a Concentration in Business and later received her master’s degree in Individual and Family Development. She has 23 years of teaching under the Family and Consumer Sciences umbrella.  

Currently, Ms. Alston instructs Family and Consumer Sciences at Hand Middle School in Columbia, SC. Under Ms. Alston’s direction, her FACS program has been showcased by The Department of Education, and WIS TV. Lanier Alston is also South Carolina Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year. She was also awarded Richland District One’s Superintendent’s Award.

Currently, she is working on a community service program with her club, which meets on Fridays at Hand Middle School, entitled “Scarves of Comfort”. Her students are learning how to create scarves out of repurposed fabric. These scarves will be donated to a shelter once completed. 

Teacher of the Year Merit Finalist 
Sarah Catherine Fowler, CNWE 

2026 AAFCS National Teacher of the Year Merit Finalist
Sarah Catherine Fowler, CNWE
Decatur High School 
Georgia Affiliate  
Program Title: “Culinary Arts in the Real-World” 

Sarah Catherine Fowler, CNWE, is a passionate Culinary Arts Instructor at Decatur High School. Her teaching philosophy centers on providing an experiential learning environment where students master essential life skills—from food safety and knife skill techniques to catering and culinary math. She is thrilled to be back with her hometown school system leading the very Culinary Arts program she once completed as a student! Due to her Culinary Arts skills and practical FCS knowledge, Sarah Catherine has transformed the program at Decatur High School to make it one of the most popular pathways to complete. She extends her impact beyond the classroom as an FCCLA Chapter Adviser and a mentor to future professionals across Georgia. She obtained two degrees from the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences (BSFCS’17 Dietetics and Consumer Foods, MS’25 Nutritional Sciences) and has connected many graduating seniors to FCS majors in colleges & universities across the US. 

Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Alissa Roberts 

2026 AAFCS Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Alissa Roberts 
Columbia City High School 
Indiana Affiliate 
Program Title “Education Professions: Grow Your Own”

Alissa Roberts has been a dedicated educator at Columbia City High School since the fall of 1987, where she has taught all courses in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program. She earned her degree in Home Economics Education from Purdue University in 1986, along with Occupational and Family Life certifications. In 2006, she completed a master’s degree in education with a focus on Curriculum Development. Throughout her career, Alissa has developed numerous impactful programs, including a Freshman Mentor Program, a career exploration course, and the Education Professions program, which she continues to maintain. She has also sustained an active FCCLA chapter, guiding students to state officer roles and national STAR Event qualifications. Alissa serves as Co-President of the Whitley County Teachers Association. Outside the classroom, she has worked as a Purdue Extension summer employee, operates a sewing and alterations business, and enjoys knitting, traveling, and exploring new foods. 

Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Jennifer Crandall 

2026 AAFCS Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Jennifer Crandall 
Mount Desert Island High School 
Maine Affiliate 
Program Title “MDIHS Family and Consumer Sciences”

Jennifer Crandall graduated from College of the Atlantic in 1993 with a degree in Human Ecology and a teaching certificate for secondary life science. She taught alternative education for 15 years before switching to family and consumer sciences. She is passionate about the environment and how our choices of what we eat, buy and wear impact it. Her goal is to help students make informed decisions about their food and clothing, be self-sufficient and caring adults. She teaches Food and Nutrition, Foods 2, Farm to Table, Fabrics and Clothing Construction, Intro to Knitting and oversees an Infant/Toddler Practicum program at the high school. She is also involved in a local task force to address greenhouse gas emissions in her community, a board which provides financial assistance to students and families who are housing-insecure. She is an avid knitter, spinner, and gardener. 

Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Jessica Teal

2026 AAFCS Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Jessica Teal 
Windsor High School 
Colorado Affiliate 
Program Title “Igniting Innovation and Empowering Success”

Jessica Teal is a seasoned educator with a decade of experience in teaching Family and Consumer Sciences at Windsor High School. Her academic journey began at Colorado State University, where she earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees, alongside principal licensure. At Windsor High School, Jessica has passionately taught across a diverse array of courses, including Career Pathways, Catering, Child & Adolescent Development, Design Seminar, Education Exploration, Fashion Design & Merchandising, FCS Leadership, Interior Design, Life Management, Relationships, Teacher Cadet I and II, and Work Based Learning. Beyond the classroom, Jessica has demonstrated exceptional leadership within the professional community. She has served as the President of both the Colorado ACTE and the Colorado Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (CATFACS). Currently, she is honored to serve a second term as CATFACS President. She is also an active member of the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). 

Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Katie Hanson

2026 AAFCS Affiliate Teacher of the Year 
Katie Hanson
White Sulphur High School 
Montana Affiliate 
Program Title “Culinary Arts, Food Safety, and Workforce Preparation”

Katie Hanson is a Family and Consumer Sciences educator at White Sulphur Springs Schools in rural Montana, where she teaches grades 7– 12. Her program focuses on culinary arts, food safety, workforce preparation, and human development. Katie integrates the ProStart curriculum and requires all students to earn ServSafe Food Handler certification before participating in culinary labs. As the FCCLA chapter advisor, she emphasizes leadership, service learning, and career readiness through authentic, community-connected experiences. Her students have competed successfully at the state level in ProStart and regularly engage in service projects that support school and community needs. Katie has secured multiple DonorsChoose grants to expand access to industry-aligned equipment and experiential learning resources. She is certified to teach dual-credit Human Development Across the Lifespan and is committed to preparing students with practical skills, confidence, and opportunities for success in postsecondary education and the workforce. 

Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Michelle Derouin

2026 AAFCS Affiliate Teacher of the Year
Michelle Derouin 
Western Alamance High School 
North Carolina Affiliate 
Program Title “Interior Design”

Michelle Derouin is the North Carolina American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year and a Family and Consumer Sciences educator at Western Alamance High School in Burlington, North Carolina. She designs innovative, student-centered learning experiences that integrate Interior Design, career readiness, and FCCLA leadership, empowering students to apply academic knowledge to authentic, real-world contexts. Michelle demonstrates sustained leadership within the profession through active service in state and professional organizations and by mentoring fellow educators. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Appalachian State University, where her research examines the historical evolution and future direction of North Carolina Family and Consumer Sciences through oral history and archival scholarship. A reflective practitioner and advocate for FCS, Michelle is committed to advancing the profession by fostering equity, innovation, and excellence in education while preparing students to thrive as leaders, professionals, and engaged citizens.