Craig Ellis of Oconee County High School was chosen on Thursday as the 2025-26 Oconee County Schools Teacher of the Year.

Ellis teaches Economics and AP Macroeconomics, and he has been a member of the Oconee County High staff since 2022.

“I am the child of two high school teachers,” Ellis said. “I wanted to do something that would have a lasting impact. From my parents' example, I knew teaching would give me this. I feel like teachers should provide a fun, engaging, challenging, and positive atmosphere to help students learn. Teachers must be enthusiastic about their subject, build strong relationships with students, continually improve their practice, and deepen their content knowledge. I want my students to learn the subject, but I also want them to enjoy the process of learning.”

Ellis is Oconee County High's Social Studies Department Chair, and he is an AP reader for Macroeconomics, serves as the advisor for the Econ Challenge Team and the Personal Finance Challenge Team, and is an assistant coach for the girls basketball squad. He has been teaching since 2006, including stints at Oglethorpe County and Jackson County.

Ellis holds a Bachelor’s in History and a Master’s in Social Studies Education, both from the University of Georgia.

“What stands out about Mr. Ellis, and what you feel in his classroom each day, is the genuine delight he has for teaching and learning,” Principal Matt Stephens said. “That passion clearly comes from his family’s legacy in education. He has a knack for creating an atmosphere where students get excited to learn, and that is driven by his own enthusiasm for the subject. His energy, his dedication to growing in his field, and his desire to build strong connections with students make him an extraordinary educator.”

The Teachers of the Year from each of the 12 schools were recognized at Thursday’s banquet presented by the Oconee County High Schools Alumni Association.

Oconee County Primary
Shannon Wiley, 1st Grade

Colham Ferry Elementary
Leigh Anne Shore, 4th-Grade ELA/Social Studies

Dove Creek Elementary
Laura Goulder, K-5 Special Education

High Shoals Elementary
Clare Eggleston, K-5 Music

Malcom Bridge Elementary
Becky Irvin, 1st Grade

Oconee County Elementary
Amy Waddell, 3rd Grade

Rocky Branch Elementary
Jennifer Manders, 5th-Grade ELA/Social Studies

Dove Creek Middle
Allie Moree, 6th-Grade Math

Malcom Bridge Middle
Jessica Loshy, 8th-Grade Georgia Studies

Oconee County Middle
Jon Cotton, 6th-8th Band

North Oconee High
Brittney Dillard, 9th-Grade Algebra

Oconee County High
Craig Ellis, Economics/AP Macroeconomics