Excellence can be found in every corner of Spartanburg District Five Schools. This year, two of our brightest examples come from the same campus: Byrnes High School.
Lea Elizabeth Harrison has been named the District’s 2026-27 Teacher of the Year, while D.J. Crosby has been selected as District Support Employee of the Year. While they share a campus, Harrison and Crosby's impact extends far beyond Byrnes, and reflects the dedication and commitment found in every school across District Five.
Lea Elizabeth Harrison: 2026-27 District Five Teacher of the Year
Harrison, an Honors and AP English teacher at Byrnes High School, was surprised with the news Friday morning during a classroom visit from Superintendent Dr. Randall Gary. As word spread, students and staff gathered outside her classroom to celebrate the special moment.
“I’m just really humbled to receive this,” Harrison said. “I work with so many awesome people who work hard for our school district and for our students, so I’m just really grateful.”
Harrison has spent her entire teaching career at Byrnes High School. She is passionate about building strong relationships with her students and creating an inclusive classroom where all feel seen and respected.
“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher," she says. "It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do, so this is a really special culmination of the work and relationships I’ve built, and I’m excited to represent the district and support other teachers.”
Beyond the classroom, Harrison plays an active role in the Byrnes community, leading major events such as Homecoming Week and graduation. She also serves as a mentor teacher, supporting and guiding new educators entering the profession.
As District Teacher of the Year, Harrison will serve as an ambassador for District Five educators and represent the district at the state level alongside other top teachers from across South Carolina.
D.J Crosby: 2026 District Five Support Employee of the Year
D.J. Crosby had a feeling something unusual was happening. The Byrnes High School psychologist had been called back from his routine visit to the district’s alternative school when Superintendent Dr. Randall Gary arrived outside his office with a surprise announcement: Crosby had been named Spartanburg District Five’s 2026 Support Employee of the Year.
For Crosby, the recognition is especially meaningful. A graduate of District Five schools and Byrnes High School, he described the honor as a full-circle moment.
"I think it's important to just take this with gratitude," Crosby said. "Typically, a lot of people don't know what school psychologists do, but to get this recognition from my peers is just a blessing.”
Now in his third year serving at his alma mater, Crosby is intentional about building strong connections with students—much like the educators who once influenced him. He credits mentors such as Byrnes Spanish teacher Jerry Rice, educator Tom Barber, and former middle school football coach (now Assistant Principal) Michael Maus for helping shape his path.
“I don't consider this to be my award, I truly consider this an award of all the teachers who poured into me."
In his role as a school psychologist, Crosby supports students in a variety of ways, from conducting evaluations for specialized services to providing counseling, behavioral support, and intervention planning. Beyond the school day, he also serves as a Byrnes football coach, investing in student-athletes the same way his own coaches once poured into him.
"We all have our role, and as support employees, we can support in so many different ways," he said. "I witness pockets of positivity and connection and impact every day, and just witnessing that is gasoline to the fire, it burns the will to show up for these students every day."
Congratulations again to Lea Elizabeth Harrison and D.J. Crosby, our District Five Teacher and Support Employee of the Year!