"Woods also advocates for teacher pay raises, increased support for new teachers, and allowing school districts to utilize retired teachers."
PROVEN LEADERSHIP. --> TKES Reform
My opponent was the architect of a teacher evaluation system (TKES) that has served as a 'gotcha' tool -- shaming our teachers and driving them out of the professional. I am working with the legislature to pass a bill that will finally let us create a new evaluation system: one that lays out a clear pathway for teachers to grow as professionals -- from beginning teacher to teacher leader -- and provide supports each step of the way.
Update: This bill received a “do pass” from the subcommittee and moved on to the full House Education Committee on Wednesday. The Georgia Department of Education is awarding a total of $5,261,955 in grants to help school districts improve literacy outcomes and support students with dyslexia, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced yesterday.
“Reading is a fundamental skill that all children in Georgia need because, with it, a world of possibilities opens," Superintendent Woods said. “These grants will ensure districts, schools, and teachers have the resources they need to improve reading success for all students, including students with dyslexia." Gwinnett can save a lot of time by just listening to what parents and community members have been saying for months...
✔️Keep schools open. ✔️Keep learning going. ✔️Stop the mandates. Woods on vaccines and masks: "Parents and teachers should have the complete and final say."2/15/2022
I've been clear since the onset of the pandemic: When it comes to vaccines and masks, parents and teachers should have the complete and final say.
Georgia bill would allow parents to opt out of school mask mandates (Fox 5 Atlanta) When my opponent was in charge...our children, teachers, and schools were reduced to test scores, data points, and percentiles -- that's wrong!
We cannot go back to the high-stakes testing and hyper-accountability regime that hurt our kids and drove teachers out of the profession. Supt. Woods passes out pocket Constitutions to all fourth graders in Columbia County schools2/11/2022
I had the honor of visiting several schools within the Columbia County School District. One of the highlights came during my visit to Martinez Elementary. I was able to present each 4th grader with a pocket Constitution and even meet a student named Richard Woods. In addition to the above, I was able to bring enough pocket Constitutions for all of the 4th graders within the school district. I look forward to making more such deliveries in the days to come.
Providing our students with a strong foundation in American History and Government is essential for our communities, state, and nation. In our standards, we do not shy away from teaching about the disappointing points within our nation's history. Yet, it is equally important that we are also teaching about how exceptional we are as a nation. That we as a nation have constantly improved upon our faults to become better and expand opportunity for all. February is CTAE Month in Georgia -- Expanding Technical Opportunities for Georgia Students2/9/2022
February is Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Month in Georgia -- thank you CTAE students and teachers!
Our students are learning technical skills in high demand fields. Under my leadership:
Since the onset of the pandemic, I have promoted ‘compassion over compliance’ – pushing back against mask and vaccine mandates while ensuring our schools have the resources, supplies, and support to keep their doors open and students learning.
💯% agree with Governor Brian Kemp on this. Woods: Materials in our schools must be standards-aligned and age-appropriate, not obscene.2/7/2022
PROVEN LEADERSHIP --> Protecting Our Kids.
Our schools should be safe places of learning. Materials in our schools must be standards-aligned and age-appropriate, not obscene. Proud to partner with Jan Jones, Chris Erwin - Georgia House of Representatives - District 28, and other legislators on this common sense measure. PROVEN LEADERSHIP --> Promoting Unity Over Divisiveness
I've said from the start: Divisive teachings and ideologies have no place in our classrooms or schools. We've worked in collaboration with legislators and the Governor's Office specifically on legislation to get this issue addressed. Whether it’s when I served as an elementary principal or serving as State School Superintendent, I’ve always kept my commitment to never forget what it’s like to serve on the frontlines – on our bus routes, on our serving lines, or in our classrooms.
As leaders, our job is to serve those who serve our kids each and every day – you have my full commitment. PROVEN LEADERSHIP --> Strengthening the Teacher Pipeline
When it comes to those answering the call to teach, we need to open doors -- not create additional barriers. I did just that when I pushed the Georgia PSC to eliminate edTPA – saving teaching candidates hundreds of dollars and saving them from bureaucratic red tape. Lisha and I had a great day visiting with the Georgia Federation of Republican Women during Red Coat Day at the Capitol.
I salute the great work of these ladies throughout the state. They are truly a cornerstone of excellence for not only the Republican Party but also their local communities. REAL RESULTS --> Empowering Parents.
I’ve said from the very start: Parents have a right to be heard – not targeted. I support the ‘Parent Bill of Rights’ that lays out a clear path for parents to play an active part in their child’s education – being true partners with teachers and schools. PROVEN LEADERSHIP --> Eliminating 13 Milestones tests + SLOs
Richard Woods for State School Superintendent has led the fight against high-stakes testing, working with two Governors and the legislature to get laws changed and tests eliminated. His opponent fully embraced testing by mandating high-stakes tests for every single course and grade. REAL RESULTS --> EXPANDING RURAL BROADBAND
Working with Governor Brian Kemp, we're awarding $408 million to expand broadband access to the rural areas of our state -- expanding economic and academic opportunities to our students and communities. As a former coach, I understand first-hand how important it is to ensure school sports are safe and fair for our kids.
I’ll continue to partner with Governor Brian Kemp and legislators on this important issue to ensure it gets addressed this session. PROVEN LEADERSHIP --> Empowering Parents Parents have a right to be heard and this piece of legislation will do just that -- strengthening the partnership between schools and the families they serve.
WE. WILL. GET. IT. DONE. Georgia's State School Superintendent, Richard Woods, became an honorary member of the Georgia Young Farmers Association on Friday for his strong advocacy and support of agricultural education within Georgia.
It has been said that adversity is the greatest revealer of character.
Since March of 2020, public education has seen its overwhelming share of adversity. Teachers and staff dealt with the abrupt suspension of face-to-face instruction in spring 2020. Educators and administrators had to adjust learning with the proverbial plane in mid-flight. They transitioned to virtual learning or created learning packets for continued instruction. Meals had to be delivered to students daily. The 2020-2021 school year opened with much uncertainty. How would the pandemic truly impact schools and our society? Could we effectively, safely go back to face-to-face instruction? Basic routines – such as entering the school building, managing class transitions, and even serving lunch – were upended. Ever-changing quarantine procedures became a constant challenge. Many educators were asked to teach both virtually and in-person, thus doubling class preparations. In 2022, while Georgia school districts are committed to offering face-to-face instruction, this remains a challenge due to personnel concerns. When teachers, bus drivers, substitutes, and cafeteria workers are out sick, having school in-person becomes an enormous task, and an already-overworked staff is stretched thin. Read more... 😡😡😡Recently, my opponent showed his true disdain and disrespect for teachers when he said...
"Teachers SHOULD BE going above and beyond..." Reality Check: Our teachers ARE going above and beyond! From being the creator of TKES to requiring a high-stakes test for every single subject and grade, my opponent has a long history of blaming and shaming our teachers. Proud to represent Georgia at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute's first State of Civics event.
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. "We are thankful for a State School Superintendent who regularly seeks input and truly has a heart for the children of Georgia!"
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