Pope High School teacher Amanda Dillard has been named the Cobb County School District Teacher of the Year for 2025. The announcement was made by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale during a pep rally at Pope High School, where students and staff gathered to celebrate the recognition.
“It was a huge surprise to be named the District Teacher of the Year for Cobb County. I feel really honored and just really blessed overall for being recognized that way,” Ms. Dillard said.
Prior to this honor, Ms. Dillard had already been selected as Cobb County’s High School Level Teacher of the Year. She teaches special education at Pope High School and has focused on helping her students succeed both in school and after graduation.
“My goal is to help my students be successful, not just here at Pope, but when they graduate and later on in life as well,” Ms. Dillard added.
Students have spoken about her impact on their lives. One 10th-grade student credited Ms. Dillard with helping him improve his grades through consistent encouragement and support.
“The times that I wasn’t feeling like I could do it, or if my brain just wasn’t clicking on whatever it was, she wouldn’t stop saying, ‘I can do this. You got this. I can help you,’” he recalled.
Another student described her positive presence in the hallways: “You walk by her, and you can feel the energy,” Benjamin said. “When you walk by her, there’s just energy that grabs people’s attention. She’s really nice. She’s always positive.”
Ms. Dillard said she wants to be someone students can rely on for help when needed: “I want to be the person they can come to for help.”
Senior Faye expressed appreciation for Ms. Dillard’s support over three years: “It has been an amazing last three years knowing her,” Faye shared, expressing gratitude for all Ms. Dillard has done to help her. “Thank you for being there for me,” Faye added.
Pope senior Landon described Ms. Dillard as more than a coach or teacher: “…a joy to see.” He explained that she motivates students to do their best: “She always manages to find a way to make us want to do our best.”
Ms. Dillard is part of Georgia’s BEST program, which supports educators across Georgia in developing their skills further so they can better serve their students.
“Being a Georgia’s Best teacher and being in the Georgia’s Best program is a huge, huge opportunity for Cobb educators. Teachers can turn around and invest in their students. It’s not something I could have done on my own,” explained Cobb’s teacher, who will graduate as a Georgia’s BEST educator in summer 2026.
Later this year, Ms. Dillard will also be recognized during a ceremony at Marietta Square as part of the Cobb Chamber’s Give Our Schools a Hand celebration—a local event honoring outstanding teachers throughout Cobb County.
“Seeing Ms. Dillard with her students today reminds me why Cobb’s families love our schools. Our teachers really, actually care about our students, and especially on days like today, it shows,” said Cobb Schools Board Chair David Chastain.
