COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — A local educator is making waves in Coffee County with a mission to change the way students view math—before the school year even begins.

CeCelia Coke, MBA, is a teacher, mom, and now a self-published author, focused on building math confidence among students, particularly in Title I communities. Coke recently launched her guide, “Freshmen Up,” alongside a soon-to-be-released digital prep packet, “Fresh in Fifth.” These resources aim to help students gain early confidence in math while shifting long-held negative beliefs about their abilities.

“This isn’t just about academics,” Coke said. “It’s about changing mindsets and helping kids—especially in areas like Coffee County—believe they’re math people. That belief is life-changing.”

Coke explained that when students stop saying, “I’m not good at math,” they begin seeing themselves as capable and qualified for future careers in fields like technology, medicine, and business. Her goal is not only to help students pass classes but to open doors to generational opportunities through math literacy.

She highlighted that Coffee County is full of bright, creative young people who often don’t see math as something meant for them. Her books are designed to bridge that mindset gap—featuring fun, culturally relevant content tailored to connect with Generation Alpha in a modern, relatable way.

“I built this brand from the ground up while raising two daughters, teaching full-time, and working toward my Education Specialist degree,” Coke shared.

The digital version of the resource has already reached a broader audience than expected—purchased not only by freshmen and their parents, but also by college students and adults looking to strengthen their math skills.

As the paperback guides hit shelves this week, Coke is considering incorporating student voices to highlight the need for resources that ease transitions from middle school math to Algebra 1.

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