Overview:
Led by 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year Rachel Kinsaul, schools across Georgia are participating in a Day of Service to give back to their communities.
April 10, 2026 – Public schools and students across Georgia participated in a statewide Day of Service on March 18, 2026 – an initiative focused on community connection, real-world learning, and civic responsibility led by 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year Rachel Kinsaul.
Kinsaul, whose theme as Georgia Teacher of the Year is “Rooted in Service,” encouraged schools and districts across the state to join her in the Day of Service, engaging students in meaningful service learning and adapting the initiative to needs in their own communities.
“Our first statewide Day of Service was proof that so many teachers have a heart for service and understand the importance of getting students involved with these projects,” Kinsaul said. “As the stories began to flood in, I was in awe that so many groups took part in the challenge. I hope this is a project that will continue to grow year after year.”
The idea for the Day of Service initiative began in 2019, when Kinsaul – an agricultural science teacher at Morgan County High School – noticed many students had little to no community service experience while completing FFA Degree applications. This realization sparked the Sophomores Serve program at MCHS.
With support from school leadership, the concept evolved into a coordinated, schoolwide effort focused on sophomore students. Over the past five years, Kinsaul has organized the event annually and coordinated with local nonprofits to secure service sites throughout the community. Students are able to choose where they serve – a strategy that builds ownership and enthusiasm for the experience.
For the statewide Day of Service, schools and districts were able to identify nonprofit organizations and community partners in their local communities, then determine which student group or grade level would be the best fit. Service projects could be embedded in the existing curriculum, allowing students to see how classroom skills translate into real-world applications.
“I’m so proud of the students, educators, and schools across Georgia who stepped up to serve their communities through this day of service – and I’m especially grateful to Rachel Kinsaul for bringing this vision to life,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “This is what public education is all about – preparing students for life and helping them become part of something bigger than themselves and make a real-world impact.”
Kinsaul’s statewide Day of Service was recognized by House Resolution 1389 in the Georgia General Assembly.