The Ledger

By Becky Holland

In a world that can feel heavy, Erica Mimbs’ story is one of heart, faith and the kind of hope that quietly shines through.

At just 30 years old, Mimbs is a wife to Casey and a devoted mother to 5-year-old Jack and baby Mary Helen, born in December. She is also a beloved Pre-K teacher in Bleckley County—one whose calling to the classroom began long before she ever stepped into it professionally.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “I played school when I was little. It’s just second nature for me. God called me to it.”

Now in her eighth year of teaching, Mimbs has made a lasting impression. She was named Bleckley Pre-K Teacher of the Year and, most recently, Bleckley County Schools Teacher of the Year.

“That was such a surprise,” she said. “I found out about that at the same time I found out I was pregnant with Mary Helen. It was such a blessing from God.”

But behind the joy and recognition is a journey marked by both deep loss and unwavering faith.

While pregnant with Jack, Mimbs learned she was carrying identical twins. During the pregnancy, doctors discovered twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a serious condition where one baby receives more nutrients than the other. The family traveled to Cincinnati for a specialized procedure—one only offered in only a few places.

What they discovered there was more serious than expected.

After the procedure, Mimbs lost one of the babies.

Jack survived—and remarkably, he was the baby who had been receiving fewer nutrients.

“It’s what I call my journey to loss and life,” she said. “It was a long process, but it made me a better mother and teacher.”

At birth, everything seemed fine. But around six months old, Mimbs and her family began to notice Jack wasn’t meeting typical developmental milestones.

“He wasn’t using his right side,” she said.

Later, they learned that Jack had suffered a stroke during the procedure. One of the lasting effects is a mild form of cerebral palsy, leaving weakness on his right side.

But today, Jack is thriving—playing t-ball and living life with joy.

“God saved Jack,” Mimbs said simply.

Through it all, her faith deepened.

“I leaned more on God during all the waiting,” she said. “In 2024, I was baptized.”

She doesn’t describe her journey as a dark place, but rather one that shaped her.

“It made me more patient and more empathetic,” she said.

That patience and empathy carry over into her classroom, where she pours into her students daily.

“I love my students like they are my own,” she said. “I try to give 100 percent at home and at school. It’s not easy, but I do it.”

She lives by a piece of advice once given to her: be present where your feet are.

“That’s what I try to do,” she said.

This year, that calling has come full circle—Mimbs is teaching her own son, Jack.

She is quick to credit the support system around her, describing the community as “super supportive and loving,” and says she is humbled by the encouragement she has received along the way. She was also recently named among the top Pre-K teachers in the state of Georgia.

Looking back, Mimbs reflects on the lessons she would share with her younger self.

“Be patient and wait,” she said. “God’s timing is perfect. Soak in the moments.”

It’s a message she lives out daily—through motherhood, teaching and faith.

She often thinks of the Garth Brooks song The Dance, a favorite of hers.

“He talks about if you had missed the pain, you might have missed the dance,” she said. “If we hadn’t gone through what we did with Jack, we might have missed what I call the beautiful dance… what made me who I am today.”

And in that dance—through loss, life and love—Erica Mimbs continues to inspire those around her.

Photo from Erica Mimbs