Chelsea Leming

A Teach in the Peach Ambassador

Dr. Leming is a fifth-grade teacher in Cherokee County. Named a finalist for the 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year and a 2025 Young Professional to Watch, she enjoys connecting with students, sharing her passion for education through public speaking, and proving that, even after 17 years in the classroom, teaching continues to inspire, challenge, and excite her each day.

One piece of advice: go in with your eyes open to the paradox that the best thing about teaching is that it matters, and the hardest part is that it matters every day. But if you can hold that weight, what you get back is so valuable. You get to build relationships with students that stick with you in a way few jobs offer. You get to be creative constantly, dreaming up how to make an idea land and how to reach the student who isn’t reaching back yet. Teaching is a career with genuine purpose, not just a paycheck. Teaching asks a lot of you daily, but that’s exactly why it’s worth doing.
Learn to ask for help. You’re not expected to have everything figured out yet. The teachers who thrive are the ones who are willing to admit they don’t know it all and lean on their colleagues instead of trying to do it all alone. Also, accept that every lesson doesn’t have to be a dynamite lesson. Some days you’re planting seeds, not fireworks, and that is okay! Lastly, don’t forget to have fun. Laugh with your students and your colleagues. Relationships are what get you through the inevitable challenges.
I hope I never lose the excitement of knowing that, twenty years from now, someone might be asked about their favorite teacher and my name could be part of that conversation. The opportunity to make that kind of lasting impact is a legacy that is hard to walk away from. Each year, I’m still energized by the possibility of becoming a little better, trying new ideas, and growing alongside my students. On a more practical level, teaching gives me a flexibility I deeply value as a mom. My schedule aligns with my children’s schedules, allowing me to be present for my family while also being an active part of my students’ lives. I love knowing my children’s friends, building relationships within our community, and experiencing the connection that comes from being both an educator and a parent. That balance between my work and family life is something I truly treasure.
I chose to teach in Cherokee County because it is home. I am fortunate to teach in the same school system where I was a student, and that connection to the community makes this place incredibly special to me. I love being part of a school system where generations of families are connected, where I can build relationships with students and parents, and where I truly feel invested in the success of our community. My dad was also a teacher and recently I taught the son of one of his former students. There is something meaningful about giving back to the place that helped shape who I am and now having the opportunity to impact the next generation of learners.

Site Search

2,026 students commit to teaching profession at second annual Teach in the Peach Statewide Educator Signing Day