Gay is Teacher of Year; Busher Employee of Year

Calhoun County Superintendent of Schools Darryl Taylor, Jr., has announced that the Calhoun County School District (CCSD) has selected the 2026 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year for the school district. Altha School math teacher Brian Gay was named Teacher of the Year while Dorothy Ann Busher, a paraprofessional teacher’s aide, was selected as the School Related Employee of the Year.

Mr. Gay had served as the Children’s Ministry Director at Rivertown Community Church from 2022 until September of 2025. As Children’s Ministry Director, he led a dedicated team, overseeing program coordination, leadership development, and parent engagement. In September 2017 until March of 2020, he served as a substitute teacher for Calhoun, Liberty, and Jackson County School Boards.

In May of 2020, Mr. Gay became a mathematics teacher with the Calhoun County School District.

“As a dedicated high school mathematics teacher with five years of experience teaching Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Liberal Arts, and College Algebra, I have made it my mission to help students see themselves as capable, confident problem-solvers. Since joining Altha School in 2021, I have focused on creating a classroom culture built on encouragement, accountability, and growth. Our Geometry End-of-Course proficiency rates have increased from 42% prior to my arrival to 49% in 2022, 53% in 2023, 67% in 2024, and an outstanding 93% in 2025. Beyond the classroom, I have designed and facilitated interactive workshops, led after-school tutoring programs, and collaborated closely with parents, faculty, and administrators to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed,” Gay wrote in his application form.

Gay received his Associate of Arts degree in Mathematics Education from Chipola College in 2018. In 2020, he received his Bachelor of

Science degree in Mathematics Education from Chipola College. In May of 2024, he received his Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.

“As an educator today, I strive to bring that same passion and commitment into my classroom. My goal is to inspire students the way my teachers inspired me: by helping them view challenges as opportunities, nurturing a love of learning, and showing them that with the right guidance and perseverance, they can achieve more than they ever imagined,” he concluded.