Marietta, Cobb Teachers of the Year Join Walk of Honor

MARIETTA — The Teachers of the Year for the Cobb and Marietta school districts unveiled their handprints on the Teacher Walk of Honor in Glover Park Tuesday.

Teachers Karen Wright and Maria Nelson lifted the cover off their immortalized handprints on the sidewalk, representing their lasting impression on the community.

The ceremony is part of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce's annual Give Our Schools a Hand celebration, which honors the top teachers from the Cobb and Marietta school districts.

Over the past 35 years, 68 teachers have been honored with their handprints, said Cobb Chamber CEO and President Sharon Mason.

“Your handprints will forever be on Marietta Square,” Mason said. “As generations to come walk and see this handprint, they will forever remember the tremendous mark and the blessing that you’ve been in our community.”

Maria Nelson, a fourth grade teacher at the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics, was named Marietta’s Teacher of the Year in May.

She was selected out of 12 teachers nominated for their respective schools.

Before she accepted her award, Nelson’s MCAA Rockets performed “Mrs. Nelson’s Song,” expressing their love and gratitude for the teacher.

The kids that performed included Nelson’s current students as well as former students now in fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade.

With the background chorus humming, several students came up, one by one, sharing what they loved most about Nelson.

One student shared that Nelson was the reason she wanted to become a teacher while another said Nelson helped her through her dyslexia, making her feel more confident about school.

“Mrs. Nelson says that we’re the best class ever, but she’s the best teacher ever,” one student said during the performance.

Marietta Superintendent Grant Rivera said the day was personal and emotional for him.

“I stand before you as a superintendent, but I also stand before you as a father of a child who has been in Maria Nelson’s class,” Rivera said. “My daughter left her classroom a year and a half ago and yet, still, in carpool and around the kitchen table, we will talk about Nelson.”

Knowing that all teachers have the power to change lives, Nelson said she wanted to be a teacher that changed students’ lives for the better.

“When I ask myself what I want most for my students, the answer cannot be found in a curriculum or state standards,” Nelson said.

Instead, Nelson said she wanted her students to be inquisitive, creative, brave, capable and, most of all, kind.

“I strive to make my students feel seen and valued. I want them to love school, love learning and love themselves,” Nelson said.

When she first began teaching at a different school district, Nelson said she had her doubts.

“To be honest, I had a very difficult first year as a teacher. I didn't love school… I was sure I had made a mistake,” Nelson said. “I am overwhelmingly grateful that I decided to try this one more year at a different school, hoping for a different experience, because I learned quickly that Marietta City Schools truly is special, different, better.”

Nelson said the celebration added another layer of gratitude she has for her job.

“Being reminded of the impact that I make and seeing the joy on my kids faces,... that really is a testament to what I’ve done in Marietta for the last eight years,” Nelson said.

Wright, who teaches fourth grade at Big Shanty Intermediate School, is Cobb’s Teacher of the Year.

She has been teaching English language arts in Cobb for 27 years, 19 of which have been at Big Shanty.

According to Cobb Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, 8,000 teachers picked 113 Teachers of the Year for their respective schools. Wright was chosen as the overall district Teacher of the Year in August.

“It truly is special that their peers actually are responsible for placing them up on the stage today,” Ragsdale said.

Wright shared that the last few months had been the most exciting of her career.

Growing up, Wright never intended to be an educator. In fact, she was going to be an interior designer or architect, before her aunt, who was an educator for 20 years, suggested a different life plan.

As a student, Wright struggled with reading, spelling and math. Knowing this, Wright’s aunt told her to be the teacher that she always needed.

“Over the last 27 years, I have tried to do just that, to build relationships, motivate, inspire, have fun, create traditions, build memories and give my students what my teachers gave me, a belief in myself that I could do anything,” Wright said.

“Accepting this award is living proof that my aunt's words were right, and I am proud to honor her memory here today.”

Wright said her and Nelson’s handprints were a reflection of every teacher who works to make a difference in the lives of their students.

“Cobb and Marietta are here today to represent what is awesome in education,” Ragsdale said. “We have the best teachers in the world right here in Cobb.”

Later this month, all Teachers of the Year as well as school staff and students will gather at Wheeler High School for a pep rally to celebrate the winners, Mason said.

The celebration will culminate at the Cobb Chamber’s November Marquee Monday where Wright and Nelson, along with Cobb’s middle and high school level winners, will be presented a one year lease and insurance for a car from Voyles Automotive Group, added Mason.