Beverly Truitt-Cosby, a longtime teacher at International Studies Elementary Charter School, was named the 2025 District Teacher of the Year during a banquet Wednesday evening. Truitt-Cosby was recognized during a districtwide celebration honoring each of the school-level Teachers of the Year for their outstanding contributions to education and their unwavering commitment to students.

Truitt-Cosby scored the highest from among four other finalists. Those finalists were Dr. Chevonne Denson from South Georgia Regional Achievement Center; Rachael Dudley from the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy; Kimberly Roberts from Magnolia Early Education Center and Jerona Waiters from Sherwood Acres Elementary School.

In presenting the award, Superintendent Kenneth Dyer praised all five finalists as “builders of dreams, shapers of character, and protectors of potential,” emphasizing the collective influence teachers have in shaping the future.

“Tonight is about more than recognizing one exceptional individual,” Dyer said. “It’s about honoring the collective force that teachers represent in our society… Every profession, every leader, every thinker and creator — all of them start in a classroom.”

Dyer described Truitt-Cosby as someone who “strives each day to make a meaningful and positive impression on her students” and who “works tirelessly to craft lesson plans that enrich all students — from those ambitious gifted students to those who struggle each day.”

A veteran of more than 38 years in the Dougherty County School System, Truitt-Cosby used her acceptance speech to reflect on the challenges and rewards of her career — and to issue a call to action.

“In life sometimes we’re faced with two choices: we can choose to climb the mountain or we can choose to walk around the mountain,” she said. “Walking around may be tempting because it’s easier. But oh, the view at the top is so beautiful.”

Truitt-Cosby spoke passionately about the purpose of teaching, describing it as her calling — a mission that extends far beyond standards and test scores.

“We have to do more than just prepare them for the parade, which is graduation,” she said. “If we only teach just for a grade or a test, we’ve done a disservice. These children — our children — need something they can use. They need knowledge that’s meaningful.”

She also emphasized the importance of connection, saying she greets students every morning at the bus ramp with a smile because “we don’t know what they’re going home to.”

“Our children need us,” Truitt-Cosby told the crowd. “We’ve got to stand in the gap for them.”

Her words were a powerful reminder that the role of an educator is not just to teach content, but to shape lives and give students the tools to think, ask questions, and dream big.

“As long as I’m healthy and happy, I will be there,” she said. “Because our children — they still need us.”

Truitt-Cosby will serve as the district’s Teacher of the Year for the next 12 months. She’ll also represent the district in the state Teacher of the Year program and competition.