 Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.
I think about how precious and special each life conceived is. I see the awesomeness and potential within those waiting to be born and the 1.7+ million students within public education. It is so important as adults that we provide all the opportunity to fulfill God’s unique purpose in life. Who will become the next teacher, carpenter, sales clerk, researcher, leader, father, or mother? Is there a great discovery or cure in the one yet to be born? “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 Teachers, support staff, and school leaders are doing what they always do — rising to meet this moment.
They’re covering classes, teaching in lots of different ways, and stepping up across the state to keep our schools open and our students learning. While my opponent heaps on criticism for their efforts, we need to remember our educators are true heroes — we must make sure their job isn’t a thankless one. Raising teacher pay, sending relief straight into our classrooms, and implementing reforms that clear the plates of our teachers are bold first steps that we must — and we will — make. We will get through this — together. 👏CONGRATS, RICHARD!👏 Richard Woods for State School Superintendent was named one of Georgia Trend's 100 Most Influential Georgians -- for the sixth year in a row. This year, Richard was spotlighted for creating the Office of Rural Education and Innovation to support rural schools in expanding opportunities for students and teachers. In previous years, Richard was spotlighted for fighting against high-stakes testing, expanding fine arts and CTAE opportunities, and emphasizing literacy.  💯% Full Article: https://thecurrentga.org/2022/01/08/georgia-school-superintendent-expects-students-back-in-class-teacher-raises-in-2022/  Today, Educators First, a non-partisan, statewide teacher organization in Georgia, is announcing its first endorsement of the 2022 election – Richard Woods for State School Superintendent. In a statement, Educators First said: “Georgia educators know Richard Woods. Time and time again – from reducing high-stakes testing, championing teacher pay raises and full education funding, reforming the evaluation system, and fighting for the teaching profession – Richard has shown a heart of an educator, never forgetting what it was like to be a classroom teacher. His proven leadership is needed now more than ever.” Read more...  "Students do not remember tests -- they remember teachers!" Under the leadership of Richard Woods, Georgia has seen the largest reduction 〽 of high-stakes testing in its history. But he hasn't stopped there, he supports: ✔Reducing the number of federally-required tests even more ✔Reforming the teacher evaluation system to remove the high-stakes component ✔Implementing measures to reduce redundant and excessive testing at the local level  Since the very beginning of the pandemic, I have been against vaccine or mask mandates. We must recognize and respect the decisions of parents and educators. Glad to see yesterday's ruling. https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2022-01-01/judge-blocks-covid-vaccine-mandate-for-head-start-program  REAL RESULTS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LIAISON & CUSTOM CTAE PATHWAYS. When I took office, I created an Economic Development Liaison position at the Georgia Department of Education to strengthen partnerships between business/industry and K-12 education. With Rivian coming to our state, we'll work with industry leaders to develop a custom Electric Vehicle (EV) CTAE Pathway to strengthen the workforce pipeline and prepare our students for thousands of future careers.  Alternative reality: Letter grades and summative scores could have been released this year to blame and shame our students, schools, and teachers. Proven leadership: Richard Woods led the nation in fighting for federal accountability waivers. He also refused to march our students into schools just to take a Milestones test.  My opponent clearly doesn’t understand the legislative process… The process operates on a two-year cycle: where a bill ends up at the end of the first year’s session is where the bill is picked up again at the start of the second year’s session. My opponent falsely claims I “killed” SB 226. The bill passed the Senate (see vote here: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/59932). It was assigned and will be picked up again by the House Judicial Non-civil Committee at the start of the upcoming session -- SB 226 didn’t die. I have been clear: obscene materials have no place in our schools. During the upcoming session, I will be working with policymakers to get legislation to address this issue across the finish line and signed into law. Bills must pass both chambers of the legislature (Senate and House) and typically take two years to pass (just look at the Turnaround Office reform legislation or the legislation allowing retired teachers to teach in high need fields).  When your opponent says you’ve had 8 years to do something and you’ve only been in office 7 years…
No wonder my opponent embraced Common Core ‘new math’ (he must be using it). My call for 'COMPASSION OVER COMPLIANCE' became more than a rallying cry, but a value statement for what truly mattered. PROVEN LEADERSHIP during the pandemic:
 REAL RESULTS. PERSONAL FINANCE FOR ALL STUDENTS. Our kids must know how to:
ALL GEORGIA STUDENTS will with the new course that was just developed and approved.  It's about teaching to the needs of a child -- not to a test.  State Superintendent Richard Woods has a proven track record of delivering real results for Georgia's students and teachers. In just 5 years, Woods has:
  Last week, I spoke to local school board members from across the state.
My message: We can’t keep adding to the plates of teachers.
Hands-on. Relevant. Learning in action. We must continue to embrace innovation over standardization in education. I'm proud to support programs like these and we'll continue to expand funding to ensure these opportunities are in classrooms across Georgia.   Yesterday, I spoke to local school board members from across the state.
My message: Schools belong to the community – not the other way around. We cannot give more weight to the “data” and “research” than we give the input, feedback, and ideas of our parents, students, and educators. We cannot ignore the voices of those on the frontlines, nor those whose children we are called to educate. I applaud the Georgia School Boards Association for finally taking this stand — pulling out of a national organization that spent more time vilifying parents than engaging with them.  Let me be clear: Parents must be heard — not targeted. Schools belong to their communities — not to districts. We must all be united in support of our children.  I am honored to have the endorsement and support of the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee – State Senator Chuck Payne. Chairman Payne is a good friend and champion for education. We will continue working together to expand opportunities and increase outcomes for Georgia students.  |
