Wheeler County Educator Named 2026 Georgia Forestry Teacher of the Year

Les Bateson, an agriculture instructor at Wheeler County High School, has been named the 2026 Georgia Forestry Teacher of the Year. The award, sponsored by Huber Engineered Woods and the Georgia Forestry Foundation, recognizes Bateson’s 15-year career spent connecting students to the state’s vital timber industry and environmental stewardship.

Money Talk·August 24, 2026·reads: 1,556

Bateson has cultivated a rigorous forestry curriculum that moves beyond textbooks, requiring students to master tree identification, forest measurement, and prescribed burning techniques. His approach has yielded competitive success for his school’s FFA chapter, including a 2023 state championship in Forestry Field Day and a state title in Land Evaluation. By collaborating with the Georgia Forestry Commission, he provides his students with direct pathways into professional forestry careers.

Matt Hestad, senior vice president of the Georgia Forestry Association, noted that Bateson’s classroom strategies are essential for bridging the gap between academic study and the practical realities of the industry. The honor was formally presented during the association’s annual conference in July. For Bateson, the recognition serves as a milestone in his long-term mission to foster a deeper appreciation for Georgia’s forests, which currently sustain an economic impact of $59.4 billion and employ over 177,000 people across the state.