Kylie Hardy, Cobb County School District’s 2026–27 Teacher of the Year, was honored with a handprint ceremony at Marietta Square, joining a permanent tribute to outstanding educators. The Mableton Elementary School English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher credited the teachers, mentors and colleagues who helped shape her career.
“It just reminds me of the responsibility and the honor and the privilege of being in this position,” Hardy says. Mableton’s student singers, the Mabletones, performed in English and Spanish. For Hardy, the performance highlighted the progress of students who, just a few years ago, knew no English.
“Being able to use your voice is such a big part of what I do with the kids,” she says.
Hardy is also continuing her education through Georgia’s BEST, applying what she learns directly to classroom instruction and encouraging students to embrace challenges and keep learning.
As Cobb’s Teacher of the Year, Hardy hopes to advocate for fellow educators and remind them to celebrate everyday progress, from a student gaining confidence to a lesson finally clicking.
“Just look for the small things, look for the little wins, because any type of progress is something to celebrate,” Hardy says. “The work that we are doing matters.”
Cobb County’s Teacher of the Year is leaving a lasting impression on Marietta Square and in her classroom.
Mableton Elementary teacher Kylie Hardy’s handprints now join a permanent tribute to outstanding educators in Cobb County.
Hardy’s students learn English and find the confidence to use their voices. Her students celebrated her during the ceremony with songs in English and Spanish.
For Hardy, the honor also belongs to the teachers and colleagues who helped her along the way.
“Today as I place my handprints on the Teacher Walk of Honor, I’m reminded that I didn’t get here alone. Today’s handprints may be mine, but they represent so much more than me. The greatest feeling we can give someone is the feeling that they matter, that they belong, that they have a place in this world and someone is willing and able to see them.”
Hardy is also continuing her education through Georgia’s BEST. Cobb’s partnership with the University of West Georgia covers tuition for selected educators pursuing advanced degrees, with a three-year commitment to stay in the district.
Cobb Schools bestowed this honor after naming her, Ebony Collier, and Lisa Peacock its 2026-2027 District Teachers of the Year, recognizing three outstanding educators whose unique paths to the classroom have transformed students' lives across the district.
Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, district leaders, family members, and colleagues surprised the three educators at their schools during special recognition celebrations.
While each teacher's journey is different, they share a common commitment to helping every student succeed.
Ebony Collier, a fine arts teacher at Tapp Middle School, has expanded opportunities for students by building a thriving theater program at her school. Her work encourages students to build confidence, express themselves through the arts, and dream beyond the classroom.
Lisa Peacock, a biology teacher at Osborne High School, spent more than three decades mentoring and tutoring children before entering the public-school classroom. Her hands-on, innovative teaching style inspires curiosity while creating a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and engaged.
"This recognition reflects the incredible impact these educators have on students every day,” said Ragsdale. "Whether through the arts, language acquisition, or science, Ebony, Kylie, and Lisa exemplify the passion, innovation, and commitment that define excellence in Cobb Schools."