October 8, 2025—It was a day filled with pride, gratitude, and lots of smiles as Pope High School’s Amanda Dillard, Cobb County’s 2025 District Level Teacher of the Year, revealed her handprints along the Teacher Walk of Fame on Marietta Square. It’s a lasting symbol of her impact on students, colleagues, and the Cobb community. 

Surrounded by family, friends, district leaders, and her Pope High School family, the dedicated Cobb educator reflected on the moment with both disbelief and deep appreciation. 

“It was actually surreal,” she said, smiling, “It’s my hands, and they’re actually here. It’s something I’ll come back to years to come and show my kids and their kids."

All of those in attendance felt the impact of the day. 

“Walking the Marietta Square and seeing Amanda’s handprints made me think of all the generations of Cobb students shaped by teachers like her,” said Board Chair David Chastain. “It’s a legacy cemented in the hearts of our students and our community.”

Ms. Dillard was named Cobb County's District-level Teacher of the Year in August. She is in her 18th year as a special education teacher with experience spanning all grade levels. At Pope, the veteran educator teaches Interrelated Special Education with a concentration in math. She is also the founder and head coach of the school's esports program, which is now in its second year.

Despite her long-standing career in education, she says she never planned to be a teacher. However, once she saw the difference she could make in students’ lives, she knew she had found her calling. 

“Special education or not, once you’re working with kids, you find out if it’s truly your calling,” she shared. “When the spark goes off, when they get it, then you’re hooked forever.” 

That spark keeps her grounded and driven to live out the district’s mission of One Team, One Goal: Student Success.

“The reason that I stay is really, truly, for my students,” said Ms. Dillard. “They inspire me. To help them discover their drive and passion and to support them in their futures, that’s what really inspires me—any little success along the way.”

At Pope, Cobb's top teacher works with students across all four years of their high school journey, helping them build confidence and succeed inside and outside the classroom. “To watch them come in sometimes with low confidence and watch that grow and see them graduate and go on to be successful adults, that’s probably the most rewarding part of my career,” she said.

Her reach extends beyond the classroom, as she supports hundreds of students daily and maintains close mentorship with about 20 throughout their entire high school experience. 

“I go into math classrooms and work with them there, and I follow students throughout their four years,” she explained. “So, I get to kind of follow them around, see their growth.” 

A Rock Star

Pope's Principal Matthew Bradford described Dillard as a "rock star" within their school community. She is known not only for her energy and dedication, but also for her compassion toward students and staff.

“Every day she shows up with a smile on her face, ready to go,” Principal Bradford said. “She’s always has the students’ best interest at heart. She goes above and beyond in whatever she can to support them, not only them, but also the teachers on staff.”

Pope's principal recognizes how his teacher's influence extends far beyond academics. 

“It’s what she does for the kids outside of the classroom. She wants to make sure her kids are successful when they leave high school,” he said. “Amanda’s a testament to all that and our successes inside the building and beyond.” 

For Pope's top teacher, being part of the Cobb County School District means being part of something bigger—a district that feels connected and supportive, despite its size. 

“Even though it’s a large area, it really feels small town,” she said. “The community comes alongside us. We’re really supported, and that’s what I love about working for Cobb.” 

Before the handprint unveiling, a special ceremony was held at the Earl and Smith Strand Theatre. The Pope Chorus performed on stage before Superintendent Chris Ragsdale introduced Dillard as the 2025-2026 Cobb County Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Dillard's sons dared her to work the viral “six seven” TikTok trend into her speech, and she didn’t disappoint. When asked about it, she laughed and said even her students get in on the fun. “If the answer is 67 in class, we just pause,” she laughed. “Because there’s a chorus of ‘six seven’ out there.” 

Principal Bradford extended his heartfelt gratitude to Pope's "Rock Star" and said, “I’m so proud of you. You represent us very well. Thank you for all you do for our students and our staff at the high school.”