Last week we welcomed our @mariettacityschools staff back with our annual kickoff. We shared a few laughs, a few reminders, and lots of raffle tickets. This week we welcome our students back on Friday. Looking forward to a great year. Let’s do this, Marietta 💙

The kid doesn’t really believe me when I tell her I used to coach gymnastics and, perhaps even more shocking, that her ol’ man used to tumble in college. In the backyard last night I was trying to earn the respect of a skeptical preteen. Form looks good…as long as she is doing it and not dad 😂 @NU_Cheerleading

I am thankful for big sisters and elementary school dances. While mom was busy decorating a gym, Lauren saved me from experimenting on Reese’s hair and makeup for the dance. (And for the record, I could have done it…just not as well as a pre-teen who spends most of her waking hours in front of a mirror.) And these pictures of Reese!! Standing on these front steps I am reminded they grow fast. Long gone are the days when we stood on these same steps taking our first-day-of-kindergarten pictures ❤️ Take the picture. Take the trip. Make the moments #girldad

Daddy-daughter date night with Shrek! Congratulations to the Hickory Hills Dragon Players!! In their inaugural season under Director Randi Leffew, the show was absolutely magical! The only thing that surpassed the talent on stage was the love afterwards between the cast and adults who poured into them! Grateful for everyone who made last night so special…including my date! 💚

Proud husband post: my amazing bride and radio-host wife @JennHobby was recognized this week in the @ajc as one of 24 Atlanta radio hosts with 25 years experience in the market. Equally worth noting - she is one of only five women to make this list. The radio industry is not easy and her success over the many years speaks to her work ethic, talent, and kindness towards others. While I am proud of what she symbolizes to the Atlanta radio market, I’m even more proud of what she represents to our two daughters ❤️

Yesterday we officially welcomed the Class of 2032! Marietta Sixth Grade Acadrmy hosted all rising 6th graders at The Strand, showcasing the programs available to students next year. It was an incredible day of excitement, opportunity, and school pride! What makes the day so special? The next class of Blue Devil leaders came together for the first time - all eight Marietta elementary schools! Yesterday was a special reminder that this class will learn and grow together over the next seven years as they matriculate to the HS graduation stage. I look forward to how they will positively impact our schools and community 💙 #besomebody

Someone pinch me, as I had the thrill of being with Dr. Hollis Scarborough today! To me, she is the Michael Jordan of literacy!! For the last 20 years, her research - “Scarborough’s Reading Rope” - has established the foundation for structured literacy in schools and classrooms around the world. I was equally honored to serve on a panel with Dr. Wright, architect of Mississippi’s literacy turn-around model who now leads Maryland as their state superintendent, and NYC Superintendent Dr. Kirkland. To our Pre-K through 8th grade Marietta educators: today I shared our literacy journey with 4,000 educators from around the world. You inspire me; you inspire them. Thank you for demonstrating how an unwavering commitment to literacy can change outcomes for all children 💙 @AIMtoLearn

When you win the “lunch with the superintendent” in the school’s silent auction, we start with the milkshakes! I was so grateful and honored to spend time with the Pike girls over Chick-fil-A meals (and milkshakes!) to support @WestSideEle 💙

Our inaugural @MariettaGAhs “Senior Wall of Honor”, where we celebrate enrollment, employment, and enlistment. Every MHS senior is given the opportunity to have their senior picture framed in the hallway near the main office. Below their portrait, we place letters confirming their college acceptance, full-time job offer, or military commitment. It is a way to honor our seniors who have given so much to Marietta. Equally as important, it serves as an inspiration to every Blue Devil who comes behind them of the limitlessness of their possibilities. #besomebody PS - parents of seniors, if your senior hasn’t told you about this opportunity, please email mhs.seniorwall@gmail.com for more details. While they may not want to be honored, tell them their parent, principal, and superintendent said to submit their letters!

Six years ago Lauren’s kindergarten teacher sent home a bag of reindeer food and so our Christmas Eve tradition began. Crawling out on the roof to leave food for Santa and his friends. I’ve likely got gutters full of carrots and Fruity Pebbles but at least the kids still play along (even if mom threatens every year this is the last time) 😂🤷🏼‍♂️🤪

Thank you, Kiwanis Club of Marietta. Your continued commitment and service to our community made it possible to “cut the ribbon” across 47 classrooms at Lockheed ES that are now outfitted with “comfort corners”. Comforting spaces for students to express their feelings and know they are loved by the adults in this community. Thank you for making this possible! 💙

Eight @MariettaGAhs scholars will start clinicals today at @WellstarHealth as they work towards earning their certified nursing assistant certification. This program allows students in our healthcare pathway to complete their CNA certification while in high school and gives the opportunity for immediate part-time employment. As the Wellstar leadership staff told our kids last week, this program opens up every door for MHS students interested in any career in the Wellstar network. I am grateful to the staff at MHS and @MariettaCitySch who made this opportunity possible, especially Nurse Sutton, Rob Garcia, and Kim Blass - exciting times ahead as we continue to expand career-related opportunities for our scholars!

I offered to dress up - was told no. I also offered to sing along - was again told no. I’m trying to be cool but it’s not really working. So tonight I’ll just assume the role of Uber driver and merch buyer for the Billie Eilish concert #hitmehardandsofttour #girldad

All dressed up with somewhere important to go. To a cure for childhood cancer. 11th Annual @curechildcancer Believe Ball

Scenes from Senior Night. To my Class of 2025 seniors: thank you for being role models and leaders on and off the field. No doubt you will leave our beloved Marietta better than you found it. Our entire community is grateful 💙 #besomebody

I hope this is just a phase. We hit 6th grade and all of a sudden my mini-me doesn’t want to be seen in public with her dad. And, equally relevant, she stopped calling me “daddy” - now I’m just “dad” 🤷🏼‍♂️ But yesterday was the exception (which I’m thinking is at least partially due to the fact I let her miss class to join her friends in celebrating their beloved teachers at the annual Teacher of the Year Pep Rally). Milestone moment - I got a hug and a selfie while seated in the bleachers with her friends. I’ll take it. Every moment. Dad or daddy. And even if it means our selfies now include her teacher ❤️

I have one deathly fear and phobia: snakes. I remain as terrified today as I was when I was 3yo. On a recent field trip, I was challenged to hold my fear, for the first time ever. I don’t care how much Reese enjoyed it…I’m never doing that again. Ever.

Our @MariettaGAhs seniors have done everything right - they’ve walked our hallways as role models, student-athletes, and scholars. Last week was my chance to personally thank them for all they mean to our school and community. Again this year, I had the privilege of paying for each senior’s early admission college application fee. It’s a small gesture to show our degree of gratitude and respect for all they’ve accomplished while in @MariettaCitySch To my seniors - I am so very proud of you! Thanks for demonstrating all that it means to #besomebody - I look forward to another high five after you get into the college of your dreams 💙