Georgia Public Schools Get Annual Storytelling Event
Georgia families with children in public schools can expect this showcase of students and educators to return each year.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The Georgia Department of Education hosted "Georgia's Public Schools: Stories That Shape Us" on October 20 at the Alliance Theatre, bringing together students, educators, performers, and public-school graduates for an evening of personal stories about public education. The event, part of the Teach in the Peach initiative, is planned to become an annual signature event.
Why it matters
For Georgia families with children in public schools, the event puts a public face on the people behind their children's classrooms, from students to veteran teachers. Because the Georgia Department of Education plans to repeat it each year, families can expect a recurring statewide platform for celebrating public schooling.
Four student storytellers and three educators shared personal experiences at the October 20 event, which was held at the Alliance Theatre. Students from Carrollton High School and South Cobb High School were among the performers and speakers.
The players
Georgia Department of Education
The state agency that oversees Georgia's public K-12 schools, setting standards and supporting local districts and families.
Alliance Theatre
A major Atlanta performing arts venue that hosted the event as creative partner, known for its educational programming.
Chris Moses
Jennings Hertz Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre, who leads the company's artistic direction and programming.
The details
The evening featured student storytellers from several Georgia schools, including Hillgrove High School in Cobb County, Peachtree Ridge High School in Gwinnett County, Talley Street Elementary School in Decatur, and Carrollton High School. Casey Bethel, Georgia's 2017 Teacher of the Year, served as emcee, and a string quartet from Walton High School performed in the lobby. Audience members filled out Journey Cards with prompts about an influential teacher, and those reflections will inspire a collaborative artwork by students at General Ray Davis Middle School, with funds also donated to that school's art program.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: "Stories That Shape Us" held at the Alliance Theatre.
Class of 2026: Carrollton High School and South Cobb High School graduates performed or shared at the event.
The Home Front
The event is part of the Teach in the Peach initiative, a state effort to build public visibility for Georgia's K-12 schools. Its planned annual repetition points to a sustained, rather than one-time, state focus on public education.
If your child attends a Georgia public school, consider whether a future annual event or local school showcase could be a chance to see your child's school community in person. Keep an eye on district announcements for any local follow-up tied to the Teach in the Peach initiative.
The takeaway
Public schools are shaped by the students, teachers, and graduates who make them work, and this event gave them a platform. Families who want to stay involved can check their local district's calendar for community events that highlight their schools.
What happens next
GaDOE plans to make "Stories That Shape Us" an annual Teach in the Peach signature event, with the next edition expected in a future year. The artwork commissioned from General Ray Davis Middle School students has no completion date in the source.
Further reading
For broader context on how these schools are shaped, explore the Secondary Education coverage on We are Home.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Grice Connect.
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