Every school has at least one teacher who involves herself with everything—football games, homecoming events, band competitions, Spirit Club— just about anything school-related to show her support. At North Cobb, Mrs. Brown holds that title.

Mrs. Brown teaches literature but is known for her involvement in countless after-school activities. She strives to motivate her classes to get the best effort out of her students.

“When I first started teaching here, I had two students on the football team, and in the middle of the semester I went to a game and saw both of them. Of course I was high-fiving and encouraging them. After that, I watched their grades go from C’s to A’s. Anything that can get that kind of improvement is what I’m willing to do. And that’s why I do it,” Mrs. Brown said.

Nothing fills her with more joy than seeing her students realize they can succeed and then watching them successfully carry on with their own lives.

“When my students get that a-ha moment and let me know that they get it, and then I watch that light-bulb come on, and then I watch them go do something extra special, and I just go wow I can’t wait to see what they’re going to do later,” Brown said.

Watching her students graduate holds a special place in Mrs. Brown’s heart,  as many students have told her they would not have finished high school without her support. She also helps students through situations that go beyond the classroom.

“Graduation is huge for some of these kids because at some point they probably weren’t going to graduate. A student came into my room and told me I saved his life because I reported him for having alcohol on him in school. He told me he never would’ve gotten clean, and that he was going to graduate because of me. That’s when you know that it’s all worth it,” Brown explained.

Mrs. Brown earns the respect and appreciation from the students at NC, and they know she always shows her support when they have sporting events, need help with school, or simply need someone to talk to.

“Mrs. Brown is my favorite teacher because she’s always there for me. And she doesn’t just teach her students, she connects with them and makes them achieve things to their fullest potential,” junior Bryce Folson said.

Mrs. Brown runs the honorary Warrior program for the football team, a system in which the players select a teacher who has made an impact on their lives and honor them during the pre-game ceremonies. Senior Devin Granville selected Mrs. Brown herself.

“Even though I haven’t had her, she still is always willing to help me and stays on me about my grades,” Granville said.

Mrs. Brown wants her personal legacy to reflect what she did to help others. That should be no issue considering all the lives she has impacted.

“When I die, I want everybody to come and say how much I helped them. That’s why I do what I do,” Brown said.