Jefferson’s of Adairsville is pleased to announce that Mike Bright has been named Jefferson’s 2026 Adairsville Teacher of the Year! Mr. Bright teaches band at Adairsville High School, and has been teaching band for 37 years. He is proud to have spent his career teaching music at many terrific schools across Alabama and Georgia.
Mr. Bright was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by students and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day—today, May 5—aims to recognize one of Adairsville’s many deserving educators. Jefferson’s selected Mr. Bright as the Adairsville Teacher of the Year for his many years of creating a home away from home for his students.
“Mr. Bright’s nominators spoke of his deeply caring nature,” said owner/franchisee Chad Hullander. “His students, past and present, wrote of his investment in his students’ mental health, hobbies, and goals beyond graduation. He keeps personal hygiene products on hand for those who need it, notices when something is wrong, and treats every student like his own child. His students’ love and respect for him is clear—and they also mentioned that Mr. Bright was single-handedly keeping the Diet Coke business thriving. Mr. Bright embodies everything our communities value in their teachers and leaders, and we’re honored to recognize him for his dedication to the Adairsville community.”
Bright will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and his achievement will be commemorated on the “Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year” plaque at the Adairsville restaurant.
“I have the coolest job ever,” said Mr. Bright in a statement. “Every day I get to make music with some of the best kiddos on the planet. It fills my heart every time I see the band beam with pride and the sense of a job well-done after winning a competition. But, after all these years, I know it’s really not about the trophies, it’s about creating special memories for the kids and creating in them that feeling of accomplishment. I truly feel lucky and honored to be a part of Adairsville High School and the Adairsville Community!”Â
Last year was the launch of the Teacher of the Year program, with Summer Erickson, history and psychology teacher at Adairsville High School, selected as Adairsville’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.Â
This year is the sophomore run for the Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year award, launched as a companion program to Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award, which runs in the fall. The teachers’ initiative is open to teachers working with students of any age, and candidates could be nominated by students, parents and guardians of students, school officials, or other community members.