December 1, 2025 — At Hightower Trail Middle School, one family is finding an extra reason to be thankful this holiday season.
Three generations of the same family have found common ground through a shared experience— they've all taught and worked at Hightower Trail.
It started with Shari Tarter, a history teacher at Hightower Trail for 12 years until she retired in 2005. Although not currently a staff member, she is still well-known around the school. Her daughter, Amy Pease, is currently the Media Specialist at the school and has served there for more than 25 years.
The mother-daughter duo of Tarter and Pease worked together for six years.
Amy's daughter, Mackenzie Pease, has continued the family tradition this year by starting to teach sixth-grade history at Hightower Trail. It's the same subject her grandmother taught more than 20 years ago, as she now works alongside her mom every day.
"My mom is my best friend and role model, so it was a no-brainer that I would want to work alongside her. Having her here with me is so special, and it has made this school feel like a home…again," said Mackenzie Pease.
"I think I am the most fortunate of the three of us in the fact that I had the opportunity to work with both my mom and my daughter at some point here at the Trail. I was raised by one of my favorite social studies teachers, and I think it is so cool that I raised my other favorite," said Amy Pease.
As we approach the holidays, many will have the opportunity to take extra time away from work to spend with family.
For this family, the setting may be different, but they'll continue to do what they've done for more than 25 years—spend time together.
The sense of community, quality of life, and principles that Cobb Schools stands for have been a big part of why this family has continued to stay loyal to Hightower Trail and Cobb.
"When we moved to Georgia, we chose Cobb because of the schools. I went back to teaching when our kids were in high school because of the quality of their education. Working alongside them has been such a blessing," said Tarter.
