An Atlanta elementary school teacher is in the running to win a $100,000 grant to build a new playground.

On Wednesday, Toomer Elementary School teacher Emily Max was named one of 15 finalists in a national contest sponsored by Farmers Insurance.

Max is seeking funds to build a playground that is accessible to all students, one that includes ramps, low monkey bars and balance building stations.

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Students line up after school for school buses at Sequoyah Middle School in Doraville on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. The school’s principal told teachers not to talk to students about ICE, and teachers and activists are pushing back. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

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Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools