September 18, 2025—Varner Elementary School is a place that is near and dear to Brenda Carter's heart. 

Ms. Carter, an Assistant Superintendent at Cobb Schools, served as a teacher at Varner years ago with both of her sisters. While those same hallways may look similar, the way students at Varner are taught today has changed—thanks in part to Ms. Carter’s work.

Varner is now equipped with a new sensory room where students who need a more specialized approach to learning are able to learn while also being in a space that gives teachers more resources to support them. 

"It is a safe place for students to still be able to regulate their bodies and still be able to go back into their classroom. But when you look here, it's not just about de-escalating, and there's also so much learning that goes on," said Ms. Carter. 

Ms. Carter secured the funding to bring this critical resource into Varner, and her family even helped provide some of the learning materials that are still in the room today. 

When Varner's staff invited Ms. Carter to come by and visit, she was met with a room full of people eager to deliver a surprise the Assistant Superintendent never expected. 

In the midst of wiping away tears, Ms. Carter accepted flowers and embraced the people she worked alongside to make the sensory room possible as she learned that the room was being dedicated in her name. It was Varner's way to express their gratitude for the veteran Cobb educator and her dedication to always putting the needs of students first. 

"I was completely shocked. I have never had a surprise like that—ever," Ms. Carter gushed.