Meet the Teacher Advisory Council: Carli Marinelli of Ball Ground ES STEM Academy!

The Cherokee County School District’s newly formed Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council provides educators with the opportunity to share valued feedback.  The talent of our teachers is unparalleled and their dedication to go the extra mile is unmatched!  Over the coming weeks, we'll be introducing each Council member to our community.  You can learn more about the Council and see the full list of its members online here.

Carli Marinelli of Ball Ground ES STEM Academy

A nine-year educator, Ms. Marinelli teaches first grade at Ball Ground ES STEM Academy.  She's a CCSD alum, graduating from Etowah High School in 2008, and taught in Gwinnett and Fulton County schools before returning home to CCSD.  Upon joining CCSD, Ms. Marinelli taught fourth and first grades at Indian Knoll ES before moving to her current role.

What inspired you to become a teacher?
Many of my teachers inspired my journey to becoming an educator. In Mrs. Norton’s third-grade classroom, I began saving my favorite activities in a special folder, envisioning their use in my future classroom. When I was just eight years old, Mrs. Norton’s passion for teaching profoundly influenced me. I now aspire to inspire my students in the same way, as I believe every teacher had a teacher who inspired them to become a teacher themselves.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding aspect of being a teacher is the relationships we build with our students. I believe it is through understanding and connection that true learning and growth can happen. In this way, I not only get to witness academic and social growth but also have been rewarded with the opportunity to impact a child’s life.

How do you elevate the excellence in your classroom?
I elevate the excellence in my classroom by cultivating an environment in which all students feel valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. I aim to create a positive and motivating space where students have clarity about their learning, establish realistic goals, and are held accountable for taking actionable steps towards achieving those goals. It is within this framework of ownership over learning that genuine, intrinsic motivation, and growth can occur.

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