“Where you are is a result of who you were, but where you go depends entirely on who you choose to be, from this moment on.” Hal Erod

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Stephen and Aliceson Nobles’ story began when they met in college at the University of Georgia in 2002. They married in 2007 and welcomed their first and only child, Laila, in 2010. The duo was born and raised in different parts of Georgia, with Stephen being a proud native of Swainsboro and Aliceson hailing from the Summerhill community of Atlanta. Two different people growing up miles apart in what would seem like two different worlds, later found that their personal journeys entailed more similarities than differences and is what continues to be their collective reason to BE beacons of love, positivity, and most of all, service.

Just as their teachers inspired them at an early age, the couple wants to do the same for children growing up just like them. They want to be the catalyst that children need to motivate them towards their own personal dreams, and to do so right here in Athens, GA. This is certainly evident in their roles within the Clarke County School District where Stephen serves as the Governance & Flexibility Specialist and Aliceson is living her dream as the proud principal of Barnett Shoals Elementary.

Stephen’s mission is to empower CCSD schools and governance teams to think beyond ordinary ideas in an effort to evoke the needed shifts in order to strengthen student achievement and increase community partnerships. As a literacy promoter and read-aloud enthusiast, Stephen encourages youth in Athens and throughout the nation to find joy in reading through his notable Youtube page, Storytime with Mr. Stephen. He also serves on the board for Books for Keep and the Grant Review panel for the United Way of NEGA. He finds the most satisfaction is serving as a mentor to teen boys at Innovative Living for Life.

Aliceson has a passion for educating students and working collaboratively with educators, families, and community members to meet the diverse needs of all students. It is her personal mission to lead a team that will challenge students to think and go beyond their preconceived limits so that they may function as elite citizens in a society thirsting for ambitious front-runners. Her services and accomplishments have earned many professional distinctions, including features in education publications, being selected as a CCSD Four Star Award Recipient, Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Month, along with numerous first place prizes from the award-winning Show Stoppers Step Team that she co-founded. Beyond any recognition, the long-lasting relationships that she has forged with families over the last 17 years as an educator is the ultimate honor.

The couples’ greatest joy is their daughter Laila who is budding as a leader in her own right. As a sixth grader, she serves as the Treasurer for the Student Council and as a member of FFA. When she is not participating in extra-curricular activities outside of school, she enjoys skating and learning the latest dances.

From being the loudest fans in the stands to support mentees and former students, to packing up their cars to move students into their dorm rooms, to driving across state lines to support more students in college athletic events, this family is not afraid to go the extra mile to be love and show love. To most, it is going over and beyond, but to the Nobles family it is simply being beacons illuminating light so that others can shine bright.