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Glad to join Governor Brian Kemp and state legislators today for the signing of the FY23 state budget: ✅Fulfilling the promised $5k teacher pay raise ✅Fully funding K-12 education Our solid economic footing will ensure we can continue to build on the work we've started: modernizing the funding formula and extending step increases throughout the teacher salary scale.  Richard Woods knows all students need to know how to manage money and budgets, build their credit, understand pay stubs and tax forms, and pursue an affordable postsecondary path. He's led efforts in Georgia to require strong personal finance and financial literacy education for all Georgia students.  People who know me know my unwavering commitment to protect our kids, empower our parents, and let our teachers teach. I'm deeply humbled to have the support of those who have been battling for our kids for years -- I've fought right by them in support of Georgia's children.  I created this award as a way to recognize schools that form strong partnerships with and provide strong supports to our military families.  Under my watch, we've worked to build a solid foundation of understanding and appreciation for our Nation's Founding and history -- expanding and strengthening American History across the standards and providing Constitutions to elementary students. The signing of the Civics Renewal Act will help us build on that foundation. Special thanks to Chuck Payne - GA State Senate, SD 54 for pushing though this important legislation!  FACT: My opponent created TKES. We must get rid of the ‘gotcha’ tool that drives teachers out of our profession and replace it with a tool that supports the growth of teachers throughout their professional careers -- from first year teacher to teacher leader.  Georgia teachers,
I know it's been hard. And I know it's been hard for what seems like a very long time. I want you to know that when you're driving to and from school, or when you're sitting there in silence in your classroom after a long day, you are seen. I see you. I saw how you stepped up and stepped in time and again for your students. You held strong from the first cases of COVID — through rolling quarantines and shifting instructional models — to today, trying to address learning gaps and finish this school year strong. I see the strength you show every day for your students, even though you're tired; the dedication you show your students, even though you have your own children and family members to tend to; and the calling you answer, even though everything seems to pull you from it. I see you. When all of this started, there was no pandemic playbook already written up, sitting dusty on a shelf. But there was you – your compassion, dedication, skill, and love for students. What you and I already knew, others began to see too. There wasn't a teacher evaluation system out there that could capture the level of the teaching you were doing. The sum total of your efforts, of how you met the moment, couldn't be measured by any test. A letter grade or a CCRPI score couldn't fully capture all the demands placed on you, your classrooms, or your schools. We cannot and must not forget those lessons learned and these truths. Though we're ending this school year, we cannot end our commitment to the teaching profession. On the foundation of raising pay and reducing testing, we must continue to push for even more progress in building up the teaching profession — our profession. You have my commitment to see it through. Sincerely, Richard Woods Congrats to Michael Kobito! Mr. Kobito is AP Music Theory Teacher and High School Band Director at Woodland High School for Bartow County Schools. I know he will serve as a great ambassador for promoting the arts, expanding opportunity for kids, and strengthening our profession.  FACT: My opponent ushered in the largest expansion of high-stakes testing in our state's history. It's taken me years to undo the damage -- working with two Governors to lessen high-stakes testing so teachers can spend more time meeting the needs of their kids.  Early this week, I did my part to fight hunger in our communities. Honored to join the students and staff at Rockdale County Schools to make ceramic bowls for their annual Empty Bowls Dinner. The dinner is a fundraiser that invites community members to purchase a spaghetti dinner and a ceramic bowl made by students at the school.  Honored to join today's education bill signing. This session we worked together to deliver for Georgia’s students, parents, and educators — from expanding personal finance to all students and promoting unity over divisiveness to ensuring learning materials are age-appropriate and sports are fair.   I was honored to be recognized with the Patriotic Employer Award for my commitment to support Georgia Department of Education staff who serve in the Guard and Reserves. I deeply appreciate their service to our state and country.  While those running for office talk about what they’re going to do, I have a proven record of real results. I’ve delivered for students, parents, and teachers: raising teacher pay, lowering high-stakes tests, protecting the rights of parents, ensuring our kids’ learning materials are age appropriate, fully funding education, and promoting unity over divisiveness. I will continue to pursue common sense and child-centered measures -- we're just getting started.  PROVEN LEADERSHIP. Time and again, Richard Woods has stood up for Georgia’s students and fought against Washington overreach – and won. He’s led the charge for common sense.  I've supported military families by creating a military liaison position at the Georgia Department of Education. This staff member has a husband who serves in the military and has children who attends public schools. She's working with other parents to break down barriers among families, schools, and military branches.  The FY23 budget includes a $2,000 pay raise for teachers – fulfilling the promised $5,000 pay raise. This pay raise is in addition to the one-time $2k bonus hitting paychecks by school year's end. As strong state revenues continue, I will push next year for another round of bonuses for all education support staff. We must continue to support those who support our students.  Today is Sine Die -- the final day of the legislative session. We've fought hard to protect our kids, empower our parents, and let our teachers teach. Together, we've delivered -- but we're just getting started.  Clayton recently stated they would be mandating masks through the end of the school year – a decision not guided by falling case counts, updated health guidance, or even common sense. With the recent bill signing, Clayton immediately ended the mandate madness – a win for students, parents, and educators.  PASSED: Establishing ag programs in elementary schools across our state I'll continue to be a strong champion for our ag programs! This now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature. Georgia 4-H Georgia 4-H Volunteers Georgia 4-H Foundation Georgia FFA Alumni Association Georgia FFA Foundation Georgia FFA Association Georgia Young Farmers Georgia Farm Bureau  My dad served in the Navy. I understand firsthand what it's like to grow up in a military family and the importance of having a strong support system when you're going in and out of one school system to the next. I'll always be a champion and advocate for our military families.  The ‘Parent Bill of Rights’ lays out a clear path for parents to play an active role in their child’s education – being true partners with teachers and schools. This now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature. 🖊  Truly honored and humbled to join the Georgia Teacher of the Year finalists last week. These amazing individuals put their hearts and souls into meeting the needs of their children and elevating our profession.  Proud to provide thousands of dollars in fine arts equipment/supplies for our schools. Providing a quality education to each and every child isn’t just about increasing outcomes but also expanding opportunity.  PASSED: Materials in our schools must be standards-aligned and age-appropriate, not obscene. Our schools must be safe places of learning. This now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature.  Earlier today, I joined Governor Brian Kemp in signing into law legislation that ends mask mandates in our schools -- immediately. I've been clear since the onset of the pandemic: When it comes to masks, parents and educators should have the complete and final say.   |
