• 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Kristina Benavides Davis

    Mrs. Kristina Benavides Davis has dedicated the past 11 years to teaching in the Atlanta area. A proud alumna of Kennesaw State University, she earned her undergraduate degree in education before going on to complete a master’s degree in Reading Curriculum and Instruction. Kristina began her teaching career in Cobb County, where she spent her first seven years teaching before bringing her passion and expertise to Atlanta Public Schools. For the past two years, she has been a member of the Morningside Elementary School community, a place she proudly calls home.

    At MES, Mrs. Davis has taken on leadership roles such as serving as secretary of the MES Go Team and supporting her colleagues through classroom observations, with a focus on small group reading instruction. Her commitment to her first graders extends far beyond the classroom—she’s often found cheering them on at soccer games, attending birthday parties, and celebrating their accomplishments at recitals.

    Outside of school, she enjoys playing tennis, gardening, reading, and caring for her beloved cat, Kingsley, along with her three backyard chickens. She shares her life with her husband of eight years, with whom she enjoys traveling and playing board games.

    Mrs. Davis's passion for education, her connection to the community, and her dedication to nurturing the whole child make her a treasured educator and a true asset to Morningside Elementary.