Carrollton High School Teacher of the Year Shannon Bright is pictured with students in her healthcare classroom. Pictured from left (back row) are Jason Ackey, Daniel Smith, Seriya Williams, and Tamara Quintero-Martinez; (front row) Shannon Bright and Cadence Wilson.
Shannon Bright, named the Carrollton High School Teacher of the Year, found her passion for healthcare education through a pivotal moment of mentorship. In her classroom and on the ball fields, Bright instills the value of genuine patient care and cultivates a passion for lifelong learning in the next generation.
Bright was first introduced to athletic training as a freshman in high school. As all teenagers do, she searched for ways to be involved but was not quite sure where she would find her fit, until her PE teacher and athletic trainer, Kathy Matthews, known as “Coach K”, invited her to assist at football practice. In a single afternoon, she witnessed the trust athletes had in their trainer and the compassion and care provided to them, inspiring Bright to pursue a career of helping others and later teaching students to do the same.
Bright graduated from Valdosta State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training in 2008 and received a fellowship at Hughston Orthopedic Hospital in Columbus, GA. Building this foundation of experience in the field strengthened her understanding of the healthcare industry and patient care.
Through her experiences, Bright began to notice one of the greatest obstacles athletes face: overcoming fear in their healing process. The answer to facing that fear lies in the power of education.
“If I could teach the athlete exactly what was happening in their body, exactly what I was going to do, and exactly what our goal was, I could see them relax and trust me, and I instantly saw better outcomes,” said Bright. “It was at this point that I began to realize that my future wasn’t going to be limited to the fields and athletic training rooms; I was destined for the classroom.”
In 2010, she received a Master of Education degree from Columbus State University and became certified to teach health, physical education, and special education courses. Bright’s early teaching years took her through different grades and roles, from adapted physical education teacher to building a sports medicine program of her own.
Bright came to Carrollton High School in 2018 with a repertoire of experience. Knowing the profound value of career technical education, she was excited for the opportunity to step into the roles of HOSA-Future Health Professionals advisor, assistant athletic trainer, and teacher for the Allied Health and Medicine and Sports Medicine Pathways.
“At Carrollton, I have learned how to market my program and harness the enormous support of our community for the betterment of my students. I have been given the space and the resources to let my passion for Healthcare Education expand far beyond the classroom walls.”
Mentorship remains at the core of Bright’s teaching philosophy, knowing the impact guidance from educators like Coach K had on her life years ago. Former students know they can reach out to her with questions or pick her brain when facing an academic or professional challenge.
“These students are invested, not only in the betterment of themselves and their education but also in improving our local healthcare system. One of the most rewarding aspects of my career is serving as a mentor for them, not just while they are in school, but also after they graduate.”
Bright shared that her greatest contribution will always be her students, many of whom have become nurses, athletic trainers, surgical technicians, dental hygienists, respiratory therapists, and medical assistants right here in Carrollton.
CHS Principal Ian Lyle reflected on Bright’s contributions over the last seven years.
“Shannon Bright has taken our healthcare pathways to the next level, providing excellent instruction and hands-on learning experiences for our students,” said Lyle. “In her classes and at games with students, she has the ability to teach powerful lessons in the moment. She is an outstanding educator, and I am grateful for the impact she has on CHS and the Trojan Nation.”
Bright’s impact on her students and other faculty members led to her selection as Carrollton High School Teacher of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year. She and the other Teacher of the Year recipients, Lisa Hines, Carrollton Elementary School; Brittany Young, Carrollton Upper Elementary School; and Amby Shoemake, Carrollton Middle School, are now vying for the district honor to be announced at the district’s opening convocation on July 29.
