Georgia’s 2020 Teacher of the Year will speak on Oct. 30 about how she overcame childhood adversity to pursue a career in teaching.

Tracey Pendley, a fourth grade teacher at Burgess Peterson Academy in Atlanta, will also discuss job opportunities for teachers and what a career in urban education looks like. Pendley will speak at 7 p.m. in the Berry College Krannert Center, Room 324.

Growing up, Pendley attended nine different schools and coped with a single parent who was an addict. She has said that her teachers provided stability and encouragement. Pendley graduated from Furman University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and religion, and received a master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s Urban Teacher Education Program in 2009. She taught in Chicago public schools prior to coming to Atlanta public schools in 2012.

This event is free and open to the public.