Across Cobb County Schools, several teachers and staff members have shared their experiences of surviving breast cancer, highlighting the prevalence of the disease within the school community. October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, prompting both reflection and public displays of support such as wearing pink in classrooms.
Six educators from various schools—including Belmont Hills Elementary, Kennesaw Mountain High School, Pebblebrook High School, Pitner Elementary, and a Cobb Schools bus driver—discussed their journeys with breast cancer. Many continued working while undergoing treatment, emphasizing the importance of their roles and connections with students during challenging times.
Michelle Lanier from Pitner Elementary learned she had breast cancer just before the 2024 school year began. Despite fear and uncertainty, she chose to keep teaching first grade while considering treatment options. Lanier said her passion for teaching motivated her to remain in the classroom: “When you’re going through something like that, you want to still have that passion and joy in your life, you want to have the little people you love the most who don’t have any idea what’s happening in your life but can put a smile on your face,” said Lanier. After surgery during Fall break and a brief recovery period, she returned to work. She noted comfort in knowing other colleagues at Pitner had similar experiences: “It is nice to know that someone else knows what that felt like, so you can smile and laugh and be like, wow, can you believe we did that? Can you believe that this came into our lives, and we are still here to talk about it?” said Lanier.
At Kennesaw Mountain High School, English teacher Niki Jaquish and Math teacher Sherry Williams were both diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. For Jaquish, it was her second time facing the disease after a previous diagnosis in 2016. She underwent extensive chemotherapy and radiation while continuing to teach: “Having breast cancer and teaching is not a club you’d sign up for, but at the same time, some of the most powerful relationships I’ve had with people have been formed in that way, and walking this journey with a coworker was oddly empowering,” said Jaquish.
Williams also continued teaching during treatment. The two supported each other throughout their illness: “I knew she was just down the hallway if I needed anything, she would check on me,” said Williams. Both rarely missed work despite physical challenges. Jaquish added: “The students quite literally gave me life. They were quirky, funny, and supportive and looked out for me in ways I didn’t even realize were happening.” Jaquish was named Teacher of the Year at Kennesaw Mountain High School in 2019.
Marianne Moraweic has worked as a Cobb Schools bus driver for ten years. Diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in October 2024, she continued driving students while receiving treatment: “Throughout chemotherapy, I continued to work, but there were days here and there where it was too much… My kids know Mrs. Marianne is always smiling… so on those days I wasn’t feeling so great, I never let them see it,” said Morawiec. She explained her decision to keep working: “You don’t realize how strong you are until you have to walk down that bumpy road. The students actually made me feel better; just being around them was actually really helpful,” said Morawiec.
Diona Swinney from Pebblebrook High School received her diagnosis right before the 2024 school year while celebrating her granddaughter’s birthday at Disney World: “To be honest, I just wanted to live. When you hear ‘cancer,’ you think it’s almost like a death sentence,” said Swinney. She missed the Fall semester for chemotherapy but remained connected by sending wristbands engraved with encouraging messages such as “You Are Amazing” and “Never Give Up” to her students: “The kids give me light, teaching gives me light,” said Swinney.
Swinney recounted an emotional visit from a student whose mother had died from breast cancer: “One of my students… came to check on me- this brought me to tears… So when I say it’s very touching… I’ve got my pink on now; I wear my pink every day,” said Swinney.
Nerlie Alexandre at Belmont Hills Elementary delayed surgery until after the school year ended so she could continue teaching third grade following her January 2024 diagnosis: “I just kept on moving like nothing was happening,” said Alexandre. She credited support from family and colleagues for helping her continue working through treatment: “It’s the heart we have for what we do… So to all the teachers in the county and around the world who are battling or have battled cancer, you got this,” said Alexandre.
All six educators expressed gratitude for strong support systems within their schools—whether from principals or fellow staff—and noted comfort in sharing experiences with others who understood what they were facing.
Breast cancer remains common nationwide; according to data from the American Cancer Society cited by Cobb Schools officials (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html), one out of every eight women in America will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
Each teacher or staff member interviewed reported being free of breast cancer at present.
