Teacher of the Year
Celebrating Our 2026 District Teacher of the Year
Georgia Cyber Academy is proud to announce Mary Manning as the 2026–2027 District Teacher of the Year!
Mrs. Manning is recognized for her dedication to student success, passion for education, and commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences for every student she serves. Through her leadership, compassion, and innovation in the classroom, she exemplifies the excellence and heart of Georgia Cyber Academy educators.
Mary Manning is a passionate educator whose love for teaching began at an early age. Inspired by teachers who recognized her natural desire to help others learn, Manning has spent the past decade creating supportive, engaging learning environments where students feel encouraged to grow in confidence and take ownership of their success.
Throughout her career, she has taught multiple subjects, including music, data analytics, and English, always driven by the same purpose: helping students discover their potential. Manning is known for building strong relationships with her students and celebrating not only their academic achievements, but also their personal growth and milestones beyond the classroom.
Outside of teaching, Manning enjoys spending time with her husband, Blake, and their son, Sawyer, along with their two energetic dogs, Junie and PigPen. An avid reader and outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, music, and creative writing. She describes herself as a lifelong learner and hopes to one day earn her PhD.
For Manning, teaching is ultimately about empowering students. “Their success, their pride, and their confidence” remain at the heart of her work every day.
“My students will always know that I want to hear all their successes, not just in my class, but in every part of their life because I want to hear the amazing things they have accomplished even if no one else does or they think it's just a small thing.”
– Mary Manning
Georgia Cyber Academy's Teacher of the Year Program recognizes outstanding educators by identifying one teacher from each grade band. Nominations are submitted by grade band staff, and finalists are selected through a district-wide staff vote, which includes reviewing each teacher’s submitted bio and a recorded lesson. The overall winner is celebrated during our fall face-to-face professional development and becomes eligible to participate in the Georgia Teacher of the Year program.
Georgia Teacher of the Year is an honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching. Candidates are carefully considered, and a recipient is selected which best represents all the talents, strengths, and values of the district.
Dr. Lowman-Sikes will go on to represent GCA at the state level for the 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year. Learn more about the Georgia Teacher of the Year program
