Jennifer Priddy - 2026 Overall Teacher of the Year
(Left-right: Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney; Crabapple MS Principal Stephanie Haga; FCS Teacher of the Year Jennifer Priddy; District 1 Board Member Sara Gillespie; District 5 Board President Kristin McCabe; Chief Academic Officer Brannon Gaskins; Learning Zone 5 Superintendent Angela Parham.)
The Crabapple Middle School (CMS) community is beaming with pride because their very own English Language Arts teacher, Jennifer Priddy, has been named the 2026 Overall Fulton County Schools Teacher of the Year! She is not just teaching; she is empowering minds, transforming the classroom, and now, holding the top honor in one of Georgia's largest districts!
Ms. Priddy holds a master's degree in education with a specialty in reading. She has been teaching since 1996. She brought this experience when she started in the district fifteen years ago. Earlier in her career, teaching seventh grade at CMS, Ms. Priddy quickly distinguished herself as a valued educator, positively impacting students and colleagues. She is an expert in her field, advances growth for her students, and models collaboration for her colleagues.
“Ms. Priddy is a powerhouse,” CMS Principal Stephanie Haga said. “Her instructional design is both thoughtful and intentional, rooted in a clear understanding of what students need to know and how best to help them learn it. Whether she is developing rigorous lessons, differentiating instruction to meet individual needs, or advocating for student voices on the school’s morning news show, Ms. Priddy consistently demonstrates a mastery of her content and a commitment to student growth shaping not just strong learners, but strong people.”
In 2025, Ms. Priddy also received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award from CMS for exemplifying Dr. King’s legacy of service, justice, and equality. She believes every learner is unique. Therefore, equity in education requires acknowledging and embracing those differences.
The effects of Ms. Priddy’s teachings have a lasting impact on students.
“I can confidently say that I love receiving students who have come from Ms. Priddy’s seventh grade ELA classes,” said eighth grade English teacher Emily Mimbs. “They arrive engaged, encouraged, and well-prepared for the challenges ahead.”
In Ms. Priddy’s own words, “Students truly flourish when they are at the forefront of their own learning. They make sense of their world in various ways. Access to multiple pathways for understanding and expression helps students explore how they learn best. A teacher can empower students by cultivating a sense of confidence to honor their diverse approaches.”
Ms. Priddy knows that skills and knowledge are best absorbed in an environment where students feel safe enough to take risks. In her classroom, mistakes are not setbacks, but stepping stones. As the 2026 Overall TOTY, Jennifer Priddy models perseverance for her students, collaboration for her colleagues, and meaningful engagement for the community she serves.