Walton High School teacher Tobie Hendricks wanted a doctorate for years but figured it was financially out of reach as a working parent paying her daughter's college tuition.
Then the Cobb County School District picked up the tab.
"I've always wanted to get my doctorate, but really, I have a daughter. I'm paying for college, and I was like, it was out of reach," Hendricks said. "Having this opportunity was huge, and I definitely think I am a greater asset to Cobb now that I've gone through this program."
Hendricks is one of 74 Cobb educators who completed doctorate degrees this year through Georgia's BEST (Building Educator Success Together), a partnership between the district and the University of West Georgia that charges participating teachers nothing. No tuition. No loans. The district covers the full cost.
The 74 graduates each researched and defended a capstone project before a panel of Cobb Schools and University of West Georgia leaders, according to a district announcement published Wednesday, July 22. Topics were aligned with each educator's classroom role, so the research feeds directly back into instruction for the district's 105,000 students.
Fewer teacher vacancies, more credentials in classrooms
The district credits the program as one factor in a 75% reduction in teacher vacancies since 2023, according to a December 2025 Cobb County Board of Education presentation. For East Cobb families, that means fewer substitute-filled classrooms and more teachers with doctoral-level training at schools like Walton.
Chief Human Resources Officer Keeli Bowen said in December 2025, when the board recognized the program's first doctoral cohort, that the goal is to keep strong educators in Cobb so their enhanced skills benefit students directly.
Program scale
As of the December 2025 board presentation, more than 530 Cobb educators had graduated from Georgia's BEST across all degree levels, with 720 enrolled. The program offers nine degree pathways and more than 200 courses taught by 30 Cobb instructors.
To qualify, teachers need at least three years of experience at an accredited pre-K–12 school. The district nominates candidates, who then receive an application from UWG's graduate school.
Local graduates
Other members of this year's doctoral cohort include Dowell Elementary 2nd-grade teacher Lindsey Tackett, Eastside Elementary 5th-grade teacher Elisabeth Gibbon, and Compton Elementary teacher Emily Robinson.
Hendricks returns to Walton with her new credential when the 2026-27 school year begins August 3. Details on eligibility and degree pathways are at cobbk12.org/georgia-s-best.
