First year DeKalb teacher: Valedictorian to financial analyst to what really mattered: Teaching math

The AJC first wrote about Genetta Reeves when she was the first black valedictorian at Jonesboro High School with a scholarship to Howard University in Washington. She lived up to that early promise, graduating Howard in 2013 with a degree in mathematics and working as a financial analyst.

Still, something was missing in her life, a sense of making a difference in the world. Reeves had always tutored kids and realized she belonged in classroom. On Monday, Reeves gets that chance. It will be her first day as a math teacher at DeKalb's Cedar Grove High school after earning a master's degree in teaching and working under a master teacher through a Woodrow Wilson National Teaching Fellowship.

I urge you to watch this video interview that AJC multimedia journalist Erica Hernandez and I did with Reeves this week. You will be impressed and reassured about the future of education.

About the Author

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Declining enrollment and rising costs led APS officials to develop a plan that would “repurpose” 16 school buildings. A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.

Atlantans speak out about plans to reshape the city’s school system

Gwinnett superintendent search marks pivotal point for school district

Gwinnett, like many Georgia school districts, is facing challenges in academic performance, school safety, retaining staff and the role of diversity, equity and inclusion.

The Latest

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com

Long-range plan could significantly change Atlanta’s schools

Atlantans speak out about plans to reshape the city’s school system

Gwinnett superintendent search marks pivotal point for school district

Featured

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.