Thousands of students across Georgia listened to President Barack Obama's back-to-school speech Tuesday, even as some districts chose to not air the controversial talk.

At Jones Elementary in southwest Atlanta, fifth-graders cheered as Obama appeared on the television in their science classroom.

They listened intently and took notes as he encouraged them to stay in school, to use failure as inspiration to do better and to find careers that play on their passions.

But some Georgia school districts, like Forsyth County, didn't air the speech, avoiding controversy that bubbled up when Republicans accused Obama of trying to politically brainwash their children.

And some parents, like Mollie Cushing of Marietta, said they don't want their children to listen to the speech because they don't think the president is doing a particularly good job.

Tags: president, Barack Obama