La Shaunda Latham - 2026 High School Teacher of the Year
La Shaunda Latham, a 27-year veteran of Fulton County Schools (FCS), is the 2026 High School Teacher of the Year. Ms. Latham is currently a 9th-grade Algebra teacher at Creekside High School (CHS). She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Adult Education.
In her classroom, doing nothing is not an option. Reluctant learners are encouraged to take notes, attempt the minimum starting point, and ask at least one question. For students who lack confidence, she often previews questions with them privately to help them feel prepared and empowered to contribute. These routines normalize productive struggle, encourage student voice, and foster a nonjudgmental classroom culture where students feel safe being wrong, learning from mistakes, and trying again. These experiences build curiosity, confidence, and a clear connection between math and real life.
Ms. Latham believes, “Learning should be culturally connected and personally meaningful to help students recognize the purpose and power of mathematics. During our Exponential Functions unit, students created word problems modeling virus outbreaks and population growth, then graphed, analyzed, and presented their scenarios. When exploring quadratic functions, we launched marshmallows from handmade catapults to model parabolic motion and derive it. Experiences like that help students understand how math shapes the world, and they respond with curiosity and confidence.”
Maya Donje Ogletree is a 12th-grade student at CHS. She remembers, “I struggled with linear equations my freshman year. I did not think I was good at math. Ms. Latham stayed with me after class, explaining the concept step by step until it clicked. She did not rush or make me feel embarrassed. She encouraged me, and she knew I could learn it. That moment changed my confidence, and I started believing in myself because she believed in me.”
Differentiation is central to Ms. Latham’s teaching practice. She supports students with gaps by strategically grouping them, sometimes pairing students who struggle together so they feel comfortable taking risks, and other times placing them with peers who can explain concepts using student-friendly language. These structures allow her to deliver targeted support while maintaining high expectations.
CHS Principal Dr. Terrell Awak says, “Beyond the classroom, Ms. Latham is a respected leader at both the school and district level. She has served on the Honors Educator Advisory Committee, worked as a Mathematics Instructional Coach supporting teachers, mentored graduate candidates, and co-facilitated the Fulton County/Georgia Tech Math Institute. Her continued involvement with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics reflects her expertise and commitment as a teacher-leader.”
La Shaunda Latham’s personalized and hands-on instruction makes education memorable for learners, which is why she was chosen as the Teacher of the Year.