Hall County Schools Superintendent Will Schofield won the 2022 Johnnye V. Cox Award from the University of Georgia through the Mary Francis Early College of Education's program in educational administration and policy.
Schofield was nominated by Dr. Sally Zepeda, a University of Georgia professor, after his involvement with the teacher residency program at the University of North Georgia. This partnership between the University of North Georgia and Hall County Schools helps combat rising teacher shortages by providing paid internships to senior education majors.
“He recognized the approaching teacher shortage and the serious impact it could have on student learning and well-being,” Dr. Zepeda said. “His ability to pivot and face this challenge head on is going to make a difference in the lives of many young people. The innovation and foresight it takes to begin such an initiative epitomizes the spirit of the Johnnye V. Cox Award.”
According to a press release from the Hall County School District, students who intern with the teacher residency program are paid one-half of a beginning teacher’s salary. They are also considered full-time Hall County School District employees and are assessed under the same model as other Georgia educators.
“Instead of taking a few classes and doing a little student teaching, we put them to work with a mentor from UNG and a mentor assigned by the Hall County School District,” Schofield said. “We just think it's the best of all worlds and will give young people yet another reason to consider going into the field of education.”
Schofield said that it was humbling to receive the award, but attributed the success of the teacher residency program to the Hall County School District and its school board.
“It is very humbling to receive this award,” Schofield said in a press release. “I accept it on behalf of all the teachers and educational leaders in the Hall County School District—and those across the state of Georgia--who are committed to providing quality instruction to our most precious resource: The boys and girls who sit daily in our classrooms and dream of living lives of fulfillment and purpose.”
