Governor Perdue Announces Appointments to Master Teacher & Academic Coach Implementation Committee
| Thursday, July 14, 2005 |
Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774
|
ATLANTA- Governor Sonny Perdue announced today his appointments to the Master Teacher & Academic Coach Implementation Committee. The Master Teacher & Academic Coach Implementation Committee was created in the 2005 legislative session by Senate Bill 34. The goal of this committee is to recognize teachers in Georgia that are impacting student achievement. The Master Teacher Recognition Program will create a pool of teachers from which Academic Coaches will be chosen. Academic Coaches will be released from teaching for part of the day to work with other teachers. Some of their duties may include inducting new teachers, analyzing student achievement data, making recommendations for school improvement and implementing the new Georgia Performance Standards Curriculum. No other state in the nation has developed a certification program to recognize Master Teachers. This program will keep Georgia 's best teachers in the classrooms rather than moving to administrative positions . The committee is composed of 28 members, 23 of which are appointed by the Governor.
More information regarding the Master Teacher & Academic Coach Implementation Committee may be found at www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/versions/sb34_AP_19.htm .
Master Teacher & Academic Coach Implementation Committee
Stuart N. Bennett, 53, Brooks , GA - Bennett is the chief deputy state superintendent for policy and external affairs for the Georgia Department of Education. He is a member of the board of directors for the Georgia Accrediting Commission and an executive committee member of the Georgia Council on Economic Education. The Georgia Department of Education recently honored him with the “Top Dog Award.” He earned a bachelor's degree in history, a master's degree in social studies education and a specialist's degree in social studies education from the State University of West Georgia. He and his wife, Phyllis, have a son.
Joy Smith Berry , 74, Atlanta , GA - Berry recently retired from her position as executive director for the Georgia Human Relations Commission. Previously, she served as an education specialist coordinator in the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. She is a member of the Georgia Board of Education, Committee on Quality Teaching and the Reading Leadership Team. Berry earned a bachelor's degree from Hunter College , a master's degree in educational leadership from Pace University and has completed post masters study at Yeshiva University .
Michael P. Bull, Ph. D., 52, Gainesville , GA - Bull is the assistant superintendent for instruction for the Gainesville City Public School System, which has been recognized at both the state and national levels as a model school district. He is the program chairman of the Gainesville Rotary Club, a member of the United Way board of directors and the Elachee Science Nature Center Board of Directors. Bull earned a bachelor's degree in administration management from Clemson University , master's degrees in education administration and secondary administration and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Carolina . He and his wife, Nancy , have five children.
Terri DeLoach, 47, Blackshear , GA - DeLoach is the principal at Pierce County Middle School and previously served as the principal at Patterson Elementary. She is the chairperson of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, a member of the National Middle School Association, and a graduate of Leadership Georgia. DeLoach earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's degree in middle grades, administration and supervision and a specialist's degree in leadership from Valdosta State University. She and her husband, David, have three children.
Amy Denty, 38, Jesup , GA - Denty is the instructional lead teacher at Oak Vista Elementary. She is a member of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Science Teachers Association, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and a graduate of Leadership Georgia . She was honored in 2000 as the Georgia Teacher of the Year and currently serves as the executive director of the Georgia Teacher of the Year Association. Denty earned a bachelor's degree in middle grades education from the University of Georgia , a master's degree in natural science from the University of South Carolina and an educational leadership certificate from the University of Georgia . She and her husband, Robert, have two children.
Lynn Deutsch, 40, Dunwoody , GA - Deutsch is currently employed in the Charter School Compliance Office of the Georgia Department of Education where she reviews charter proposals, plans grant applications and implements grant applications. She is a past chair of the governance council of the Chestnut Elementary Charter School and has served in various capacities on the school's PTA. Deutsch earned a bachelor's degrees in government and journalism from the University of Texas at Austin , a master's degree in city planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a graduate certificate in gerontology from Georgia State University . She and her husband, Barry, have three children.
Lisa West England , 29, Hawkinsville , GA - England is currently a teacher at Pulaski County Middle School and has served in various other capacities, including school council secretary and half day instructional coach. She is also a past chair of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for Pulaski County Middle School and was named the Pulaski County Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2003. She earned a bachelor's degree in middle grades education from the University of Georgia and a master's degree in instructional technology from Georgia College and State University . She and her husband, Chad , have a son.
Michelle Gambill, 33, Cartersville , GA - Gambill is currently a stay-at-home mother. She has previously served as an elementary school teacher at Cartersville Elementary School and Simpson Elementary School . She is a member of the Cartersville Service League and serves as a Sunday School teacher and Girls in Action leader at Cartersville First Baptist Church . She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Taylor University . She and her husband, Steve, have three children.
Emmett D. Johnson, 59, Atlanta , GA - Johnson is a member of the Atlanta Board of Education where he has served in various capacities, including chair, president and treasurer. He served the state of Georgia for over 30 years in the Department of Revenue and the Department of Medical Assistance (now the Department of Community Health). He is a member of the Georgia School Board Association, the Atlanta Council of PTAs, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Demonstration Project. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Paine College and a master's degree in urban law and criminal justice from Georgia State University . He and his wife, Gwendolyn, have two grown children.
Jan Kettlewell, 62, Ph.D., Atlanta , GA - Kettlewell is the associate vice chancellor for Pre-School-College Initiatives for the University System of Georgia, a position she has held for 10 years. She is a member of the National Commission on Teaching and America 's Future, Jobs for the Future and the Mathematics/Science Partnership Program Network (part of the National Science Foundation). Kettlewell holds degrees from Western Michigan University , the University of West Florida and the University of Florida . She is married to Ronald Henry.
Mary Sue Murray, Ph.D., 67, Douglasville , GA - Murray recently retired from the Douglas County School System where she served in various capacities, including director of staff development, director of personnel and assistant superintendent for instruction. She is a member of the Georgia Board of Education and serves on Senator Johnny Isakson's Education Subcommittee. Murray also serves on the Georgia Quality Teacher Committee. She earned a bachelor's degree from Shorter College , a master's degree in education from the University of Georgia , a specialist's degree in education from the University of West Georgia , and a doctorate from Georgia State University . She and her husband, Ed, have three children and two grandchildren.
Sonia “Shaun” Owen, 35, Augusta , GA - Owen is currently a teacher at Greenbrier Middle School , where she has taught for five years. She is a member of the Georgia Council on Economic Education, the Georgia Council for the Social Studies, the Georgia Middle School Association and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. She was honored as the Columbia County Teacher of the Year and is a finalist for the Georgia Teacher of the Year. She earned a bachelor's degree in middle grades education from Augusta State University , a master's degree in educational leadership from Troy State University and a specialist's degree in educational leadership from Lincoln Memorial University .
Deb Page, 49, Grayson , GA - Page serves as the executive director for the Georgia 's Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI). Previously, she spent eighteen years in human resource development and business performance improvement, including a role as senior vice president for Citigroup, after beginning her career as a high school teacher. During her career in corporate human resources, she was honored by Training magazine as one of seven members of the “New Guard in Training and Development.” Page earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Georgia . She and her husband, Doug, have two children.
Scott Painter, 29, Atlanta , GA - Painter serves as the advanced placement ( AP ) site coordinator for Project GRAD Atlanta and as a teacher at South Atlanta High School . Through Project GRAD Atlanta , he manages the implementation of the Atlanta portion of an AP I grant focused on increasing AP access and equity for low income, minority students. He is one of 18 commissioners for The Teaching Commission and a member of the 2006 L.E.A.D. Atlanta Class. He was honored as the Atlanta Public Schools High School Teacher of the Year in 2002-2003 and as a College Board AP fellow. Painter earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin , a teaching certificate from Clark Atlanta University and is working toward his master's degree in science education at Clark Atlanta University .
Michele H. Smith, 56, Pine Mountain , GA - Smith is a teacher and parental involvement coordinator at Park Elementary School . She has served in various capacities at Park Elementary, including chair of the Placement Review Committee, member of the Principal Selection Committee and chair of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Renewal Committee. She serves on the Georgia Children's Trust Fund and is a former member of the Children's Tree House Board, the Chattahoochee Valley Art Museum Board and former secretary of the Harris County Chamber of Commerce. She was honored in 2005 as Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Smith earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Ohio University and a master's degree in early childhood education from Columbus College . She and her husband, Vance, have three children.
Sandra Lee Thompson, 57, Marietta , GA - Thompson is currently an adjunct faculty member at Kennesaw State University and at the State University of West Georgia. Thompson previously served as a teacher and youth apprenticeship coordinator at Marietta High School and past executive director of the Georgia Association for Career/Technical Education. She was honored in America 's Registry of Outstanding Professionals and Who's Who Among America 's Teachers. She is a member of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the Georgia Association for Career/Technical Education, the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of Leadership Cobb. Thompson earned a bachelor's degree in business education from Western Michigan University and earned a master's degree in business education, specialist's degrees in business education and technical education and completed doctorate studies in school administration at Georgia State University .
F.D. Toth, 69, Ph.D., Atlanta , GA - Toth is currently the executive secretary of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Previously, he served as professor and dean emeritus at Valdosta State University 's College of Education . He is a member of the Education Commission of the States, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, and the Georgia Council on Economic Education. Toth earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University , a master's in education from the University of Cincinnati , and a doctorate from the University of Missouri . He and his wife, Elizabeth, have four grown children.
Janice Gaskin Vick, 62, Rome , GA - Vick serves as the principal of Coosa High School and has served in this capacity for five years. She has been honored on numerous occasions with the Floyd County Distinguished Service Award for Administrators and shared the Armuchee Teacher of the Year Award in 1994. She is a member of the Rome Junior Service League, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. Vick earned a bachelor's degree in English from Shorter College and master's and specialist's degrees in administration and supervision from Jacksonville State University . She and her husband, Gerald, have two grown children.
Frances (Fran) Watkins, Ed.D., 63, Gainesville , GA - Watkins is currently the director of educator preparation for the Professional Standards Commission. She serves on the Board of Examiners for the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education, the Association of Teacher Educators and the American Association of Colleges of Education. Watkins earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Tift College , a master's degree in chemistry education from the University of Georgia . She also earned a specialist's degree in science curriculum and instruction and a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of South Dakota . She and her husband, John, have two grown children.
Leigh Ann Wearne, 28, Sugar Hill , GA - Wearne is the choral director at North Gwinnett High School . She previously served as the chancel choir director and youth choir director for the Snellville United Methodist Church . She is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association where she is the state repertoire and standards chair for women's choirs. Wearne earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Florida State University . She and her husband, Eric, have two children.
Jeanie Weathersby, 61, Roswell , GA - Weathersby is the deputy superintendent for teacher and student support with the Georgia Department of Education. She is an active participant in educational reform initiatives such as the Next Generation School project steering committee, the Georgia Board of Regents P-16 School Reform and the Atlanta Committee for Public Education Early Childhood task force. She was honored by the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders as “Outstanding Educator for 1999” and as “Distinguished Staff Developer for 1999” by the Georgia Staff Development Council. Weathersby earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Southern Mississippi , master's degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Mississippi and a doctorate in instructional supervision from the University of Georgia . She is married to Ken Posey.
Wanda S. West, Ed.D., 52, Macon , GA - West is the superintendent for Twiggs County Public Schools. She is a member of Georgia School Superintendents Association, Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education and Links, Inc. She is a former director of staff development, curriculum director and classroom teacher for Bibb County Public Schools. West earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Morris Brown College , a master's degree from Mercer University , a specialist's degree in administration and supervision from the University of Georgia and a specialist's degree in educational administration from South Carolina State University . She and her husband, Roy, have two grown children.
Deborah Lipham Wilkes, Ph.D., 54, Atlanta , GA - Wilkes is the president of Phoenix Early Care and Educational Consulting. She is a former evaluation consultant for the Family Child Care Provider Training Project. She is a member of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the Junior League of Atlanta, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Georgia Association on Young Children and Southern Early Childhood Education. Wilkes earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Georgia , a master's degree in elementary education from Augusta College , completed certification work in early childhood education at the University of Louisville and earned a doctorate in early childhood education from Georgia State University . She and her husband, Joseph, have one grown son.
The following people will serve as ex-officio members on this Committee:
Representative Brooks P. Coleman, Jr.
Chairman, House Education Committee
Senator Dan Moody
Chairman, Senate Education Committee
Ann Louise Duffy
Georgia 's Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) Staff Member
Shelley Clark Nickel,
Director of Governor's Office of Planning and Budget
Martha Ross Reichrath, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Governor's Office of Student Achievement