CARROLLTON, GA — From nurturing a love of stories to helping students live out their own, Karee Payne invests in students and colleagues alike. Named Carrollton Upper Elementary’s Teacher of the Year, Payne’s passion lies in servant leadership, striving to make an impact through the simple daily tasks, whether the moment calls for tying shoes or holding students accountable. 

Empowered by educators and a childhood filled with books, Payne developed her own confidence through learning and imagination. The knowledge she discovered in literature enabled her to access a new perspective as a learner, and she hopes to extend that to her students. 

Payne began her collegiate education at the University of West Georgia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and continued at Lesley University to earn a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Literacy K-12. Throughout her years in education, she has served as an in-school coordinator for special education, a small group reading tutor, an instructional coach, and a classroom teacher. 

The joy she has found working directly with students and the relationships she has built as a teacher have remained her anchor. Each day, Payne aims to teach students to be lifelong learners and leaders in whatever sphere they are in–just as she does in her classroom. 

“I have learned that leadership happens beside a student’s desk, in a hallway conversation, or while kneeling to tie a shoe,” said Payne. “Much of teaching happens in small moments that may never be measured, but those moments often matter deeply to children. That is why the smallest act in my classroom has become the clearest picture of my purpose.”

For Payne, attention to detail indicates care, and care fuels personal and academic growth. Just as kneeling to tie a student’s shoe demonstrates her willingness to humbly offer help and protection, it also communicates that it is okay to ask for assistance in the search for a solution. Setting expectations and teaching others how to solve problems is at the heart of her work. If a lesson plan fails to connect, she redesigns it and tries again—modeling the exact determination she asks of her students.

“Karee is empathetic to each student who walks into her classroom. She shows genuine love, concern, and compassion to each student before instruction even begins,” said CUES Principal Tabitha Walker. “She builds relationships with students and their families and goes the extra mile to ensure their needs are met. Her students feel valued and work hard to overcome academic struggles because of the confidence she instills in them.”

She aims to continue impacting students while also serving her colleagues through collaboration and mentorship. When working with new teachers, she is often the first to offer a helping hand or share resources, leading by example. As an investment in her own professional growth, Payne is currently a doctoral candidate at the American College of Education, where she is refining her craft and living out her commitment to lifelong learning. 

Payne’s impact on her students and other faculty members led to her selection as Carrollton Upper Elementary School Teacher of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year. She and other Teacher of the Year recipients, Dr. Mandy Duffey, Carrollton Elementary School; Juanito Redwine, Carrollton Middle School; and Morganne Harper, Carrollton High School, will be considered for the district honor to be announced at the district’s system kickoff on July 29.
 

Carrollton Upper Elementary School Teacher of the Year Karee Payne and students pose at the front of her classroom. The CUES students with Teacher of the Year Karee Paynee, front row from left, are Dean Taylor and Tyson Buchanan, and back row are Alexandra Aleman, Alivia Byrd, Mariella Morris, and Zaylen Walker.

Mrs. Karee Payne is pictured working with Zaylen Walker on an assignment. 

Carrollton Upper Elementary School 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year Karee Payne
 

CARROLLTON, GA — Carrollton High School students in the International Baccalaureate program furthered their education, making global connections to their studies with the support of the Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation. During the 10-day trip at the end of May, five rising seniors, Samantha Berg, Juliet Browning, Blythe Browning, Nelson Quinonez, and Joe Jacobs, traveled internationally for the first time to Spoleto, Italy, where they lived with host families, experienced local schools, and learned about Italian culture. 

On May 17, students departed from Atlanta and began the roughly 5,000-mile trek to the Italian town. This incredible opportunity provided to students by the CCS Education Foundation was established in partnership with the University of West Georgia, which holds a strong connection with Spoleto, having led more than 20 study abroad trips there since 2012. 

They flew into Rome, where they met UWG Executive Director of Global Engagements and Cultural Programming Dr. Chad Davidson, before traveling to Spoleto and connecting with their host families. UWG Italian Liaison Elisa Bassetti placed CHS students with trusted local families for the duration of their stay, allowing them to be immersed in the culture. Bassetti is also the founder of ArteLingua, a language school that integrates gaining fluency with cultural experiences. In preparation for the trip, the foundation provided Italian lessons for students, coordinated by Bassetti, to develop practical speaking skills. 

From the cuisine to the classroom, they experienced the everyday life of an Italian teenager. CHS participants were matched with Spoleto peers during school sessions and received additional lessons and educational excursions through ArteLingua. This valuable exchange enabled the CHS students to share their knowledge as well, as they were given the chance to work with Italian high schoolers and elementary-aged students who are learning English.

Expanding their travels, IB Coordinator and CHS teacher Dr. Noah Brewer joined the latter part of the trip and took students on an excursion to Rome, leading the group through a journey of history, art, and culture—exactly the types of connections at the core of the IB curriculum. Brewer planned a tour of historical landmarks, including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and many more.  

“All throughout school, we learn about history by reading textbooks and looking at the occasional photo. However, nothing compares to actually standing in the middle of it,” said Blythe Browning. “I don't think I ever could have appreciated these things as much if I had stayed in a classroom; you have to be there to feel and experience the weight of that much time.”

On their final day, Brewer and students, along with community leaders from Carrollton, were recognized by Spoleto’s Mayor Andrea Sisti and Minister of Education Luigina Renzi. The reception honored the cooperation between the cities, and many representatives from west Georgia were in attendance, including UWG President Dr. Mike Johnson, UWG First Lady Beth Johnson, Carrollton City Manager David Brooks, and Carroll County Chamber of Commerce President Rhyne Owenby. 

Supported by the CCS Education Foundation, what began years ago as a vision to offer international travel opportunities for students has now become a reality, with the hope that it could grow into an annual experience for future CHS students and a reciprocal opportunity for Italian students to visit Carrollton.

Reflecting on the trip, Nelson Quinonez noted that foundation support bridges the gap for students who otherwise could not afford to go.

“It is important for students to have access to experiences like this because not everyone has the same resources to attend. Specifically, trips like the one to Spoleto are important because they allow students to learn outside the classroom and see new places and perspectives,” Nelson said. “At the same time, funding also makes sure that all students can participate, no matter their situation.”

This enrichment experience marks an exciting milestone as CCS continues to expand learning opportunities beyond the classroom through field trips both locally and around the world. 

“International travel opportunities like this are an investment in our students’ futures. Experiences beyond the classroom broaden perspectives, build confidence, and deepen cultural understanding in ways that impact students for years to come,” CCS Education Foundation Executive Director Brooke Mobley said. “The Education Foundation is honored to support trips like this for our students.” 

The Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation is no stranger to providing students with global educational experiences–from Taiwanese debate tournaments to international ROV competitions in Canada. To learn more or to support enrichment experiences for students at Carrollton City Schools, visit www.carrolltoncityschools.net/community/foundation.
 

CHS students, from left, Joe Jacobs, Juliet Browning, Blythe Browning, Samantha Berg, and Nelson Quinonez Gomez visit the Colosseum on a touring day in Rome, Italy.
 

CHS rising senior Nelson Quinonez Gomez pieces together a collage during an ArteLingua class at the Piazza Collicola Art Academy Institute in Spoleto, Italy.

During their trip, Carrollton High School students and IB coordinator Dr. Noah Brewer (back row, far left) were honored by the mayor of Spoleto (not pictured) and Minister of Education Luigina Renzi (front row, far right). Host families and community members joined the CHS group.
 

CHS rising senior Blythe Browning is pictured in Spoleto, Italy.

Pictured from left, CHS IB Coordinator Dr. Noah Brewer, Blythe Browning, Samantha Berg, and Joe Jacobs tour historic ruins during their excursion.