Governor Nathan Deal has already received recommendations from his 2015 Education Reform Commission - now he says he wants those on "the front lines" to review those recommendations to see how viable they will be in the classroom.
Deal announced the creation of the Teacher Advisory Committee on Wednesday. The committee is chaired by Rep. Amy Carter, a practicing teacher in Lowndes County, and is comprised of 90 educators throughout the state. He said the teachers who were selected have experience from kindergarten through high school across a wide range of subject areas including STEM fields, fine arts and special and gifted education.
“Last year, I charged the Education Reform Commission with studying the state’s education system and making recommendations on how it can more effectively prepare our students for postsecondary programs and the workforce,” said Deal in a press statement.
“The responsibility of the commission was to think beyond the confines of the current system, look into the future and recommend changes that will make that level of educational preparation possible in Georgia. They fulfilled that responsibility and I’m grateful for their hard work and diligent efforts. Now I would like to hear from those on the front lines."
"have tasked the Teacher Advisory Committee with reviewing these recommendations and providing input and feedback. Their experience in the classroom will help guide our efforts as we seek to improve educational outcomes for students, retain the best and brightest teachers and address critical needs in Georgia’s K-12 system," Deal said.
The Teacher Advisory Committee will participate in meetings, conference calls and webinars throughout the summer and early fall and provide feedback following each discussion. Dr. Susan Andrews, Director of Special Projects for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, will facilitate the discussions.
The educators were selected from three regions of the state. Those committee members from North Georgia are:
- Emily Gordon, Bethlehem Elementary School
- Kate DeBoard, Cartersville Elementary School
- Kimberlee Fulbright, Carnesville Elementary Intermediate
- April Cummings, Glenwood Primary
- Kelly Bryson, Jasper Elementary School
- Lilly McFalls, Cherokee Charter Academy
- Dawn Bishop, Wauka Mountain Elementary
- Tiffany Thompson, Brookwood Elementary School
- Kelli Waldrop, Social Circle Elementary School
- Candie Moore, Rabun County Primary School
- Kim James, Rabun County Elementary School
- Donna Baker, Elbert County Middle School
- Marla Lear, World Language Academy
- Maria Norris, Rockmart Middle School
- Allison Martin, Valley Point Middle School
- Jeff Wilbanks, Fannin County Middle School
- Sarah West, Gilmer Middle School
- Rebekah Nichols, Coosa Middle School
- Melissa Brown, Morgan County Middle School
- Madison Baker, Calhoun Middle School
- Marc Pederson, Paulding County High School
- Dianne Hardy, Mountain Education Charter High School
- Tamera Cash, Stephens County High School
- Kirk Shook, North Oconee High School
- Matthew Dahlke, Commerce High School
- Marco Burgueno, Murray County High School
- Amy Gleaton, Dalton High School
- Karen Zayance, Woodstock High School
- Brian Hall, Gordon Central High School
- Alice Brewer Brown, Habersham County High School
