Georgia Hosts Public Schools Storytelling Night
The Georgia Department of Education's Teach in the Peach initiative celebrated public schools with a live event at the Alliance Theatre.
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. The evening brought together students, educators, performers, and public-school graduates to share personal experiences.
Why it matters
The event highlights the role public schools play in shaping students and communities across Georgia. GaDOE plans to make the gathering an annual signature event under its Teach in the Peach initiative.
The event featured four student storytellers and three educators who reflected on why they chose their work. Attendance figures and comparisons to prior gatherings were not reported.
The players
Georgia Department of Education
The state agency responsible for overseeing Georgia's public K-12 schools and running the Teach in the Peach initiative.
Alliance Theatre
A regional theatre in Atlanta that served as the host venue and creative partner for the event.
Chris Moses
Jennings Hertz Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre, a leader in the Atlanta arts community.
The details
Casey Bethel, Georgia's 2017 Teacher of the Year, served as emcee. A string quartet from Walton High School performed in the lobby, and audience members completed Journey Cards reflecting on an influential teacher, which will inspire an artwork by students at General Ray Davis Middle School.
Timeline
October 20: 'Stories That Shape Us' held at the Alliance Theatre.
Class of 2026: graduates of Carrollton High School and South Cobb High School performed or shared at the event.
Season Trajectory
The event is positioned as a recurring signature moment within Teach in the Peach, extending the initiative's public-facing efforts beyond its earlier phases. It reflects a state-level push to make public education visible through arts and storytelling.
Families and educators in Georgia can follow future annual events under the Teach in the Peach initiative. Students at General Ray Davis Middle School will see their commissioned artwork and the donated funds directed to their school's art program.
The takeaway
Public school students and educators often have stories that go unheard, and events like this give them a stage. Readers interested in education can follow how state initiatives like Teach in the Peach evolve over time.
What happens next
GaDOE plans to make 'Stories That Shape Us' an annual Teach in the Peach signature event, with the commissioned student artwork to be donated to General Ray Davis Middle School's art program.
Further reading
For related coverage, explore Secondary Education news from across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Grice Connect.
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