Floyd County Schools (FCS) is proud to announce that Heather Burnett, Gifted Education Teacher at Armuchee Primary School (APS) and Armuchee Elementary School (AES), has been named the 2025 Gifted Teacher of the Year.
This recognition highlights Heather’s dedication, creativity, and exceptional teaching abilities that have positively impacted her students and colleagues alike.
Heather Burnett holds a B.S. from Jacksonville State University and an M.Ed. from Piedmont College. She is a proud product of Floyd County Schools, having graduated from Coosa High School. Throughout her education, Heather was part of the Gifted Program herself, attending Garden Lakes Elementary and Coosa High School. In fact, she and her husband, Mike Burnett, both entered the Gifted Program on the same day in elementary school and met in the Kaleidoscope program. They continue to fondly remember the meaningful lessons and exciting projects they experienced together.
As a gifted educator, Heather is committed to nurturing creative and critical thinking skills in her students. She fosters a classroom environment that encourages innovative learning through engaging and motivating activities. Her passion for teaching, combined with her personal experience as a gifted student, allows her to truly understand the unique needs of her students and inspire them to reach their full potential.
Principal Carrie Graves of Armuchee Primary School expressed her excitement, stating, “Armuchee Primary is excited to have Mrs. Heather Burnett named the FCS Gifted Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Burnett fosters an environment in her classroom that encourages students to cultivate their creative and critical thinking skills through engaging and motivating activities. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Burnett in recognition of her hard work and unwavering dedication to the Armuchee community.”
McCall Govignon, Director of Advanced Academics, also praised Heather’s contributions, saying, “We are thrilled to announce Heather Burnett as the Gifted Teacher of the Year. Heather exemplifies creativity and dedication in her teaching, inspiring her students with innovative approaches and unwavering commitment. As a former gifted student herself, she understands the unique needs and potential of her students, making her the perfect example of a gifted teacher. Congratulations, Heather, on this well-deserved recognition!”
Her colleagues have also shared their admiration for her. Lindsey Barcomb, Gifted Teacher at Armuchee Elementary School, noted, “Heather is an amazing colleague and teammate to work alongside. She is always eager to share ideas for our gifted students. She is awesome to our students and truly an asset to our gifted team.”
Allison Espy, Gifted Teacher at Pepperell Primary School and Gifted Elementary Lead Teacher, praised Heather’s dedication, saying, “Heather is creative, engaged, and innovative with her gifted students. She is always going the extra mile and willing to help in any capacity. She teaches at two different schools and is always willing to help and give SO much of herself and time to make sure the gifted program is successful! She loves teaching, and it shows daily!”
Jessica Murphy, Gifted Teacher at Model Elementary School, shared, “Heather is always willing to go above and beyond to make learning fun. She’s the first to volunteer to help other staff members. She’s a great mentor to fellow teachers and has such a positive personality.”
Floyd County Schools congratulates Heather Burnett on this well-deserved recognition and thanks her for her continued commitment to enriching the lives of her students and fostering a love for learning.
