Candidate for Georgia School Superintendent in 2022 Georgia General Election.
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Get StartedAddress facility issues, considering policies such as single-entry school campuses to reduce the number of individuals who have access to schools. Learn more
Create the Office of the Teacher Advocate. In this office, full-time staff will focus solely on addressing teacher burnout. They will listen to teachers, create partnerships with community and business organizations to provide resources to teachers, and they will ensure teachers are involved in EVERY policy-making process of the DOE. Learn more
Create statewide celebrations and an award system for teachers to show appreciation constantly and consistently for teachers, including an annual event to celebrate teachers across the state for: great subject teaching, relationships with students, going the extra mile, and educational excellence. Learn more
A law that gives teachers uninterrupted planning time during the school day that cannot be interrupted with staff or other meetings, so that teachers can focus on planning, preparation and collaboration. Learn more
Stand up for teachers, as a former state legislator (the only candidate for this office to serve in the legislature in at least 20 years), when I see bills being introduced that will instill fear or frustration in teachers. I will serve as a champion for teachers both in the legislative process and the rule-making process at the state board level. Far too long, teachers have not had a champion serving in these roles. Learn more
Working with rural districts to accessing broadband in every corner of the state. Learn more
Engage mental health professionals at a much greater level to provide preventative services to students and educators. Learn more
A law that gives teachers with children time off so they can attend parent-teacher conferences or other school-related activities for their own children; and. Learn more
Creating the Office of Equity so that all students have the resources they deserve based on their individual needs. Learn more
Partner with members of the clergy as part of the mental health services provided to students and educators. Learn more
A law that, by working with the legislature to identify funds for school districts, will offer mental health days for teachers. Learn more
Partner with faith, business, and non-profit leaders to create a campaign to restore the level of respect and admiration for the field of education and educators. Learn more
Provide a training program for principals to teach best practices for leading and managing schools. We know that school leadership impacts teacher retention. I believe developing school leaders who create a supportive and positive environment for teachers will greatly impact teacher satisfaction as well. Learn more
Establishing a uniform research-based practice in reading instruction that includes: obtaining resources that districts can use; providing ongoing training to educators to effectively teach reading; working with our Schools of Education to align that priority; providing evaluation and timely feedback; addressing the costs to obtain a Reading endorsement so it is more affordable and prioritized. Learn more
Provide support to schools to leverage federal and state grants to upgrade security systems, invest in mental health services, and create safety plans; and. Learn more
Addressing the challenges in Special Education, including how we can meet the needs of all students and ensure schools have the resources they need to do so. Learn more
Smaller schools, different types of schools, that meet the needs and interests of all students (Think: magnet, dual immersion, Montessori, public charter, performing arts, single gender). Learn more
Curriculum that embraces the diversity of Georgia’s public school system and is relevant to the world we are in – as well as the world we are preparing our students for; and. Learn more
Working with the legislature and stakeholders to finally revamping our funding formula. Learn more
Access to high quality teachers and courses in different districts through the use of technology (Think: a student in Macon County taking an AP Physics class from a teacher in Chatham County). Learn more
Apprentice and Pre-Apprenticeship programs that students can access in EVERY school district across the state. Learn more
Work with the legislature to raise the starting salary for teachers across the state to 65k. Teachers should not have to work two jobs, and I am committed to working with the state and local districts to identify the funds to do this. Learn more
Provide resources for school districts to hire School Resource Officers that are equipped with the proper, child-focused training. Learn more
Ensure there is a local plan between law enforcement and local schools. Learn more
Expanding access to Georgia Pre-K by securing more funding to enable more young learners to participate in the program (More than 40% of eligible 4-year-olds do not have access to the program due to funding); and. Learn more
Engage parents in understanding the safety protocols schools undertake, so they understand how to operate in the event of an emergency. Learn more
Normalize mental health in schools. Ensure students at every school have access to mental health services. Work with professionals to rewrite the job descriptions for School Counselors, Social Workers and School Psychologists to enable them better serve the mental health needs of students. Learn more
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