LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Emmanuel Reddish was nominated by his colleague, Taylor Sarratt.

Mr. Reddish grew up in a small home on a dirt road, deep in rural western Georgia. At the time, his mother worked long hours each day trying to provide as a single mother. Her strength taught him that no matter what circumstances or trials come your way, you must work to be stronger than those issues and overcome them. She would often have him read the back of cereal boxes at the grocery store, and she would ask questions to see if he was comprehending the information. Although she did not attend college, she strived each day to make sure Mr. Reddish had the tools to be educated and successful in life. 

As a young child, Mr. Reddish realized he, too, had the same passion for teaching. He would often play school with neighborhood kids and became interested in the profession as he grew older. However, his 11th grade AP World History teacher, Coach Fendley, solidified his career choice. Mr. Reddish remembers Coach Fendley making learning fun and exciting, which changed his life. He taught history by letting students participate in historic simulations and providing performances in front of peers. The students brought food to class that represented the diverse history and geographic locations. He immersed his students in learning, and his passion was contagious. He was genuine, something Mr. Reddish tries to emulate daily with his students to impact their lives as Coach Fendley did his. 

Although Mr. Reddish has won awards and accolades for his teaching success, he feels his greatest accomplishments in education have been visits from former students who tell him how much his class helped prepare them for high school and post-secondary education. His success with these students is evident in leadership roles assigned to him throughout his career. In addition to completing his Masters and Specialist degrees, Mr. Reddish serves as the sponsor for National Junior Honor Society, Creative Arts Club, and the Director of the Black History Month Assembly Program. He is a new teacher mentor, ELA Department Chair, serves on the CJHS Leadership Team and is part of the Aspiring Leaders cohort for the Carrollton City School System. He has also served as Coordinator for Curriculum for the after-school program, and as a Professional Development Leader for the University of West Georgia Learning Festival for three years. 

Mr. Reddish believes he can make a positive impact on his students and new teachers through literacy training and development. He works to help his school community with these initiatives through his expertise in the area. His students are frequently heard discussing how much they enjoy his class and learning style, and his success shows in his receipt of the 2017-2018 CJHS Teacher of the Year Award, in addition to many other awards received during his tenure. 

"Mr. Reddish's creativity in the classroom to engage students and make the learning process fun is apparent to all who encounter him," Sarratt said. "This creativity has reached children from all backgrounds and infused a love of learning from students who may not otherwise receive the support from home to be successful in school. It has also reached students who may be struggling in their academic progress by providing them a way in which they can learn." 

Comments (36)