Chattooga County Schools is recognizing Summerville Middle School librarian Leigha Burnham after she was selected as a Teach in the Peach Ambassador by the Georgia Department of Education.

Teach in the Peach is a statewide initiative focused on making Georgia the number one state for teachers by attracting, supporting, and retaining high-quality educators. The program also works to elevate the teaching profession and build a strong pipeline of future teachers.

As an ambassador, Burnham will help amplify the voice of educators, promote teaching as a rewarding career, and support teacher recruitment efforts across Georgia. Each ambassador will receive a stipend for their work in teacher recruitment and retention.

Burnham was previously named the 2023 Teacher of the Year for the Chattooga County School System and was also selected as a top ten finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year last year.

Her selection comes as part of this year’s Statewide Educator Signing Day, which celebrates students committing to enter the teaching profession and highlights the next generation of educators who will help shape Georgia’s future classrooms.

The 2027 Georgia Teacher of the Year will also serve as a Teach in the Peach Ambassador after being named later this month.