South Gwinnett News

Citing a disconnect between those he feels should be most closely aligned amid post-pandemic challenges, Gwinnett County’s top teacher said he's leaving the school district.

In a recent report by FOX 5 Atlanta, Lee Allen said his departure comes alongside a hope to resign the ability to do the job that he loves.

"I’m speaking tonight to use my small platform to raise awareness on the issues facing teachers today, so the district can seriously consider a plan, a plan to proactively combat these issues before more learning is lost and teachers leave,” Allen said during a May Board of Education meeting.

Allen, named the 2022 Gwinnett County Public Schools Teacher of the Year in December, taught ninth-grade algebra at Archer High School.

According to the report, Allen has been teaching for eight years, including three at Gwinnett County Public Schools after shifting careers from the "business sector" to education in 2014 because he was interested in helping others and motivated by the challenges of teaching and the opportunity to positively impact students.

His departure is not entirely out of the blue. During his Teacher of the Year acceptance speech, Allen said he considered a career change while he remarked on the nationwide shortage of teachers and support staff, FOX 5 reports. At that time,  he called on school administrators to listen to teachers' feedback, assuring educators they are not alone.

As he announced his departure late last month, Allen said he felt unsupported in his goal to benefit students both inside and beyond the classroom, FOX 5 reports. With this, he will forgo the opportunity to be the statewide Teacher of the Year as well as a bonus, stating the district needs to make changes to increase teacher retention.