Below are your weekly updates and reminders from the Georgia Department of Education. Here are your links to the District Deadlines and To-Dos Dashboard and the Digest Archive.
Register for Georgia’s Public Schools — Stories That Shape Us
Teach in the Peach is excited to announce that registration is open for Georgia’s Public Schools: Stories That Shape Us, a special evening celebrating the impact of Georgia’s public schools through stories from students, educators, and graduates. The event will take place Tuesday, October 20, at the Alliance Theatre’s Goizueta Stage in Atlanta, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the program from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Registration is complimentary, but advance registration is required and seating is limited to 300 guests. We hope to bring together an audience that extends well beyond the education community, and we’d appreciate your help in spreading the word. Please consider sharing the invitation with your teams and more broadly in your communities — including with families, business and community partners, local leaders, and others who may be interested in attending.
- Additional Information: Event Registration
- Contact: Meghan Frick, mfrick@doe.k12.ga.us
Reminder: Georgia RISE Award Nomination Window
The 2026 Georgia Recognizing Inspirational School Employees (RISE) Award nomination window is open August 10-September 30. District superintendents and principals may nominate a full- or part-time classified school employee who provides exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through high school.
Full- or part-time classified employees in the following job categories are eligible for consideration: Clerical and Administrative Services, Custodial and Maintenance Services, Food and Nutrition Services, Health and Student Services, Paraprofessional, Security Services, Skilled Trades, Technical Services, Transportation Services.
- Additional Information: Nomination Link | Nomination Guidance | 2025 Recipients
- Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5 p.m.
- Contact: Arlecia Brooks, arlecia.brooks@doe.k12.ga.us
Reminder: U.S. Senate Youth Program Application
The 2027 U.S. Senate Youth Program application window is open from August 10 to September 30. High school juniors or seniors may apply, provided they meet all program qualifications outlined by the U.S. Senate Youth Program.
- Additional Information: Application Link | Verification Forms | Student Application Guidance | National Brochure
- Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 5 p.m.
- Contact: Arlecia Brooks, arlecia.brooks@doe.k12.ga.us
District Spotlight
Cherokee County School District is investing in its future workforce through an annual student internship program that brings more than 100 college students into district schools. The interns are preparing for careers as teachers, counselors, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists and other education professionals. Organized by the district’s Human Resources team, the program is designed to support CCSD’s efforts to recruit educators and support staff to serve its students. By providing college students with opportunities to intern directly in local schools, Cherokee County is building an early connection between aspiring education professionals and careers in public education.
- Additional Information: From Cherokee County Schools
Inside GaDOE
State School Superintendent Richard Woods was on the road this week, visiting schools in Irwin County, Ben Hill County, Rome City, and Bartow County as part of his Constitution Week visits recognizing winners of the John Hancock Student Signature Award.
While in Bartow County, Superintendent Woods also kicked off a new series of visits with first-year teachers. He sat down over lunch with six new teachers to hear directly about how their first year in the classroom is going, gather their feedback and insights, and share lessons from his own 14 years as a classroom teacher. The visits will continue throughout the school year, giving the Superintendent an opportunity to hear directly from educators as they begin their careers.
Superintendent Woods also joined Atlanta News First at Edmonds Elementary School in Clayton County for its Books to Kids initiative. Atlanta News First distributed 1,940 books to students in pre-K through fifth grade, bringing the program’s total to more than 110,000 books distributed over nearly a decade. GaDOE is a partner in the initiative, which works to put books directly into students’ hands and encourage a love of reading.
And this week, GaDOE’s Office of Rural Education & Innovation hosted its first Rural Education & Innovation Summit in Tifton. The South Summit brought education leaders together for district-led sessions focused on literacy, instruction, special education, college and career readiness, work-based learning, educator workforce development, technology, and other approaches making an impact in rural communities. The North Summit will take place September 30 at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris.
Don’t forget to explore the Professional Learning Catalog for upcoming GaDOE conferences, trainings, and events.