Jefferson’s of Cedartown is pleased to announce that Kristi Ivie has been named Jefferson’s 2026 Cedartown Teacher of the Year! Ms. Ivie teaches K-5 SPED at Westside Elementary School, and has been teaching for 19 years. Prior to becoming an educator, Ms. Ivie served for more than a decade as a counselor with the Department of Corrections.
Ms. Ivie was chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by students and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day on May 5, aims to recognize one of Cedartown’s many deserving educators. Jefferson’s selected Ms. Ivie as the Cedartown Teacher of the Year for her round-the-clock advocacy for her students.
“Ms. Ivie’s nominators spoke of both her skill and dedication,” said franchisee/owner Daniel Lee. “She celebrates all of her students’ wins, showing up at sporting events and birthdays. She provides transportation for previous students so they have opportunities to participate in ball games. In other words, she is her students’ biggest cheerleader. Ms. Ivie embodies everything our communities value in their teachers and leaders, and we’re honored to recognize her for her dedication to the Cedartown community.”
Ivie will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and her achievement will be commemorated on the “Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year” plaque at the Cedartown restaurant.
“I am often told what a blessing I am to my students,” said Ms. Ivie in a statement. “However, the truth is, they are a blessing to me! These remarkable humans enrich my life daily. They bring with them an innocence and uniqueness that creates a perspective of the world that garners hope and renewal daily. Rest assured, this gift is found only found in the purest of humans.”
Last year was the launch of the Teacher of the Year program, with Michael Chandler, teacher at Cherokee Elementary School, selected as Cedartown’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.