🎙️ Grace Under Fire: Dr. Elletta Denson’s Journey from Tragedy to Triumph

By Mark Arnold | Atlanta Featured & The ATL Now | Meeting of the Minds Series

In a city defined by resilience and reinvention, few stories echo louder than that of Dr. Elletta Denson—a National Board Certified Atlanta Public Schools teacher, domestic violence survivor, and living testament to the power of perseverance. As part of the Meeting of the Minds series, I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Denson for Let’s Talk ATL and The ATL Now, where she shared her extraordinary journey with unflinching honesty and unwavering grace.

💔 A Survivor’s Truth

In 2004, during the 19th year of her teaching career, Dr. Denson was shot six times by her ex-husband in the midst of a turbulent divorce. The attack nearly claimed her life. Ten surgeries later, she survived—and continues to live with four bullets still lodged in her body. Her physical scars are matched only by the emotional strength she’s cultivated over the years.

“I didn’t just survive—I chose to live,” Dr. Denson said. “And I chose to keep teaching, because my students needed me. And I needed them.”

Her story is not just one of survival—it’s a call to action. Dr. Denson has become a vocal advocate for domestic violence awareness, using her platform to educate, empower, and protect others who may be suffering in silence.

🏫 A Career of Impact

Now in her 39th year of teaching, Dr. Denson remains a pillar of Atlanta’s educational community. She is the city’s first and only Black National Board Certified Teacher, a distinction that reflects her commitment to excellence and equity in the classroom. Her students describe her as a mentor, a motivator, and a miracle.

“Teaching is my purpose,” she said. “Even when my body was healing, my spirit was in the classroom.”

Her work has touched thousands of lives, and her legacy continues to grow—not just through lesson plans, but through the example she sets every day.

🧠 Meeting of the Minds: Elevating Atlanta’s Voices

This interview was part of the Meeting of the Minds series—an initiative designed to spotlight Atlanta’s most courageous and accomplished leaders. Hosted in partnership with Atlanta Feature and The ATL Now, the series brings together voices that have shaped the city’s civic, cultural, and educational landscape.

“Dr. Denson’s story is one of the most powerful we’ve ever shared,” I reflected during the taping. “She embodies everything Atlanta stands for—strength, service, and soul.”

💜 A Message That Matters

Dr. Denson’s message to survivors is clear: You are not alone. Her advocacy work continues through speaking engagements, mentorship, and collaboration with organizations committed to ending domestic violence.

“I’m still here,” she said. “And if I’m still here, I’m going to use every breath to help someone else stay here too.”