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Gem Awards 2025-26

Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Presents the Gem awards Tuesday May 5 2026

 

The annual Gem Awards is a celebration that recognizes the Teachers, Teacher Assistants and Beginning Teachers of the Year for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. This event serves as a thank you to our educators and their dedication and commitment to their students, families and school communities. Congratulations to the following educators who were announced as this year's Teacher, Teacher Assistant and Beginning Teacher of the Year at the Dale F. Halton Theater on Tuesday, May 5:

Rebeckah Hauss Teacher of the Year

Rebeckah Hauss is a transitions teacher at Metro School in High School Performance Area C. Hauss has a bachelor’s degree in dance education with concentrations in adaptive and general curriculum for special education and a master’s degree in school counseling from East Carolina University where she is currently working on a deaf and blind certificate with plans to finish in May 2026. Hauss has taught in CMS for 10 years and is National Board Certified in special education with multiple disabilities.

Beginning Teacher of the Year Reese Finnie

Reese Finnie is a first grade teacher at Bruns Avenue Elementary School in Elementary School Performance Area B. He attended Brevard College where he earned a bachelor's degree in Wilderness Leadership in Experiential Education. Finnie is currently in a graduate certification program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte which will lead to a master’s degree in elementary education. 

Clarice Surles Teacher of the Year

Clarice Surles is a K-8 teacher assistant at Berryhill School in the K-8 School Performance Area. Surles has an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Johnston Community College and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Surles taught for 21 years with the Meck Pre-K and NC Pre-K programs. She has been with CMS for four years.

A group of eight people stand on a stage with a blue and gold draped backdrop, holding an award, while lush green plants frame the scene.
Five people stand in front of a blue and gold draped backdrop with %22Grow Awards%22 signage, while large illuminated %22CMS%22 letters are in the foreground.
A blonde woman in a black V-neck top speaks into a microphone with her hands gesturing, while a dark background is illuminated by a projection of blue and green dots.
In the foreground, three people in business attire converse, while in the background, other attendees mingle in a well-lit hallway with signage.
Four women pose for a photo in the foreground, with an audience seated in the background at a conference.
Five people stand in front of a blue and gold draped backdrop with %22Grow Awards%22 signage, while large illuminated %22CMS%22 letters are in the foreground.
A woman speaks at a podium adorned with ferns in the foreground, while a large screen displaying sponsor logos and text is projected onto the dark background.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium with %22Gem Awards%22 written on it, while a dark, blurred background with blue lights is visible.
Three women stand on a stage holding large checks, with a dark background and some greenery in the foreground.
Three women stand on a stage holding oversized checks, with a blurred background featuring a large screen displaying the %22cms%22 logo.
A man with curly red hair speaks at a podium with %22Gem Awards%22 written on it, while a trophy sits on a draped table in the background.
A smiling woman in the foreground holds a large check for %22Teacher of the Year%22 while a person in an orange vest stands behind her against a dark background.
Three women stand on a stage holding oversized checks, with a large screen displaying %22REESE FINNIE%22 and %222025-26 BEGINNING TEACHER OF THE YEAR%22 in the background.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium with %22Gem Awards%22 written on it, while a dark, blurred background with blue lights is visible.
Four people stand on a stage holding large checks, with a blurred audience and a %22cms%22 logo in the background.
A woman smiles and claps her hands at a podium with %22Gem Awards%22 displayed, while a trophy sits on a draped table in the background.
A smiling woman in a black jacket sits in the driver's seat of a car, with trees and a blue sky visible through the windows.
Three people stand in front of a silver car holding a large check, with a building and other people in the background.

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