The Suwannee Education Foundation held its Teacher of the Year Banquet on Tuesday, Jan. 7, where Suwannee County's District Teacher of the Year (TOY) and School Related Employee of the Year (SREOY) were announced. Branford High School's Karen Braun was named the 2025 TOY, and RIVEROAK Technical College's Ashley Kirby was named the 2025 SREOY. Pick up the Wednesday, Jan. 22, edition of the Riverbend News for full coverage of all the TOYs within the Suwannee River area. Pick up the following edition on Wednesday, Jan. 29, for full coverage of all the area's SREOYs. Pictured, from left to right, are: Suwannee Superintendent Ronnie Gray, 2025 SREOY Ashley Kirby, 2025 TOY Karen Braun and Suwannee Education Foundation Executive Director Hallie Tillman.
