Carrollton Elementary School Teacher of the Year Dr. Mandy Duffey and students pose after working through an activity together. Pictured from left are Rosana Trigueros-Morales, Easton Cooley, Dr. Mandy Duffey, Polly Brown, Maddox Ray, Kalani Williams, and Annistyn Goodfriend.
Named Carrollton Elementary’s Teacher of the Year, Dr. Mandy Duffey is known for the enthusiasm and charisma she uses to build trust in the classroom — trust that translates into powerful student relationships and learning opportunities. Her passion for supporting students and teachers alike has propelled her teaching career and continues to guide her.
Driven by the desire to spark “lightbulb moments” in her classroom, Duffey focuses on leading students through challenging content until they reach a breakthrough of understanding. Her approach is inspired by her own time as a student, when the encouragement of dedicated teachers helped her overcome self-doubt and achieve her goals. Today, she intentionally provides that same foundation for her own students.
As an educator, she is dedicated to helping students achieve and ensuring they never define themselves by their struggles. Resonating with the feelings of discouragement she sometimes felt as a student, Duffey encourages her students to believe in themselves: “I want every child to know that struggling with a concept does not define their ability—it simply means they are still learning.”
Her journey in education began at the University of West Georgia, where she earned her undergraduate degree in education. Focused on strengthening her own skills to better serve students, Duffey later earned her master’s and specialist degrees before completing a doctorate in school improvement in 2025. Throughout her career, she has centered her teaching philosophy on two pillars: building confidence and building relationships.
“My goal as an educator has always been simple: to help students believe in themselves and know that they matter,” said Duffey. “Whether I am teaching a math lesson, mentoring future teachers, supporting colleagues, or serving as a literacy coach, my purpose remains the same—to create growth opportunities and inspire others to reach their fullest potential.”
In addition to supporting elementary students, she serves as a graduate-level adjunct professor at UWG, investing in future educators just as she does as a mentor to her colleagues at CES.
“Dr. Duffey is the kind of educator every school hopes to have. She consistently looks beyond her own classroom to find ways to positively impact students and support her colleagues across our school,” said CES Principal Dr. Courtney Walker. “Her leadership, innovation, and commitment to ensuring every child succeeds make her truly deserving of this recognition. She embodies Trojan Pride and inspires our students to do the same each day.”
Duffey will soon expand her reach at CES by serving as a school-based literacy coach, extending her mentorship and support to educators in multiple classrooms. Her impact on her students and other faculty members led to her selection as Carrollton Elementary School Teacher of the Year for the 2026-2027 school year. Duffey and other Teacher of the Year recipients, Karee Payne, Carrollton Upper 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.
