The Georgia Department of Education hosted its second annual Teach in the Peach Statewide Educator Signing Day yesterday at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, presented by the College Football Playoff Foundation, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the Peach Bowl, and the University of West Georgia.
Modeled after athletic signing days, this annual event honors high school seniors – along with college students and adults changing careers – who are committed to pursue careers in the teaching profession. A total of 390 future educators from 47 Georgia school districts attended the Atlanta event.
The Atlanta signing day was bolstered by satellite events throughout the state, where another 1,636 students from 78 school districts signified their commitment to pursue careers in education.
The statewide Educator Signing Day is a signature event of the Teach in the Peach initiative, a statewide campaign dedicated to “Making Georgia the #1 State for Teachers to Teach” by attracting, recognizing, and retaining top talent in education.
“As a former classroom teacher, Educator Signing Day is one of my favorite days of the year,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “This day is about celebrating the next generation of educators, students who are choosing a profession that shapes every other profession. We’re proud of these future teachers, and committed to supporting them as they step into their calling and begin making a difference in classrooms across Georgia.“
Faith Ryan, a senior at Bradwell Institute in Liberty County Schools, signed her commitment to enter the teaching profession at the Atlanta event on Tuesday.
“This is a real, concrete step toward the future I have been working toward, and toward actually getting to do what I love in a classroom of my own,” Ryan said. “What has struck me most is how much Georgia genuinely values its teachers, and being celebrated alongside so many other future educators is both humbling and energizing. In the future, I hope my students leave my classroom believing in themselves a little more than when they walked in. I want to make learning accessible, meaningful, and exciting for every learner.”
Signing Day Bonus Scholarships
The College Football Playoff Foundation, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the Peach Bowl, and the University of West Georgia served as presenting sponsors for the statewide Signing Day. Additionally, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, the Georgia Association of Educators, the University of West Georgia, the Georgia Early Childhood Education Foundation, and Kennesaw State University collectively funded 36 Signing Day Bonus Scholarships for students attending the Atlanta and satellite events, for a total of $19,500. The Georgia Teachers Initiative – through the Georgia Foundation for Public Education – provided $10,600 in classroom grants for new teachers.
“We are thrilled to again support signing day and Georgia’s many talented and dedicated future educators,” said Britton Banowsky, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Foundation. “The CFP Foundation’s GoTeach program is designed to shine a spotlight on the amazing students who aspire to be teachers all over the country.”
Education as a Profession Articulation Agreement with USG, TCSG
At the second annual signing day, Superintendent Woods joined Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Greg Dozier and University System of Georgia (USG) Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. Ashwani Monga to sign an Education as a Profession articulation agreement between the three agencies. The agreement will smooth the path toward the education profession for Georgia students who pursue higher education through USG or TCSG institutions, allowing students who complete high school Education as a Profession coursework to receive college credit at USG and TCSG institutions that offer education degrees.
“This agreement is a powerful example of what’s possible when Georgia’s education systems are fully aligned around student success and workforce needs,” TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier said. “At TCSG, we are committed to expanding access to meaningful career pathways, and this partnership ensures that more Georgians can begin preparing for careers in education earlier, more efficiently, and with greater confidence. It’s another step forward in strengthening Georgia’s talent pipeline and supporting the next generation of educators who will shape our future.”
New Teach in the Peach Ambassadors
As part of the 2026 Signing Day, GaDOE is also introducing its new Teach in the Peach ambassadors, who will work throughout the year to amplify educator voices, promote teaching as a rewarding career, and support local and regional recruitment efforts.
Every Teach in the Peach ambassador is a current Georgia public-school educator and will receive a stipend for their work to support teacher recruitment and retention. The first cohort of ambassadors is listed below, in alphabetical order by last name. The 2027 Georgia Teacher of the Year will also serve as an ambassador after being named later this month.
- Farran Burnette, Thomas County
- Leigha Burnham, Chattooga County
- William Cooper, Houston County
- Oliver Ellis, Muscogee County
- Juléa Eppinger, Atlanta Public Schools
- Joanna Haggerty, Long County
- Dalecia Hamilton, Chattahoochee County
- Rachel Kinsaul, Morgan County, 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year
- Chelsea Leming, Cherokee County
- Chante Luckie, Richmond County
- Crystal McDowell, Columbia County
- Steven McIntyre, Hall County
- Mary Mitchelson, Paulding County
- Alicia Reno, Decatur City
- Cameron Shuler, Greene County
- Ike Thompson, Houston County
- Candace Torrence, Marietta City
- Zach Towery, Stephens County
- Holly Witcher, White County, 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year
- Ashley Young, Lanier County
“The future of our schools depends on having strong, passionate teachers in every classroom,” said Will Cooper, a middle school social studies teacher at Bonaire Middle School who was named an ambassador. “As a Teach in the Peach ambassador, I want to encourage future educators to enter this profession with the same boldness I did. I want to help elevate the teaching profession and show people that this is meaningful, life-changing work.”
Educator Signing Day Sponsors
The Teach in the Peach Statewide Educator Signing Day is made possible through the support of generous sponsors committed to elevating the teaching profession in Georgia. This year’s presenting sponsors and silver-level sponsors are listed below.
Presenting Sponsors:
- College Football Playoff Foundation
- Professional Association of Georgia Educators
- Peach Bowl
- University of West Georgia
Silver Sponsors:
- Georgia Association of Educators
- Georgia Public Broadcasting
- Kennesaw State University