ATLANTA -- Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) – the oldest organization of educators in the state – today thanked Gov. Brian Kemp for his proposed “Teacher Pipeline" Package.
Morgan specifically pointed to a provision in the measure to increase the involvement of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in preparing teachers for the classroom.
“Georgia is facing a critical shortage of educators, particularly educators of color,” Morgan said, “a need made more acute by the COVID pandemic.”
The proposed legislation also includes a provision similar to legislation filed last year that would allow retired teachers to return to the classroom while drawing their retirement, in subject matters where there are critical shortages.
“GAE fully agrees with the governor that teacher voices should be part of the decision making process and appreciate the addition of a teacher as an ex-officio member of the state board of education,” said Morgan. “We believe this should extend further to ensure that the expert voices of our education professionals are impacting decision-making at the school, district, and state levels.
The pandemic has served to highlight the inequities that impact our 1.8 million school children across Georgia. GAE welcomes the opportunity to sit down with Gov. Kemp about his continuing efforts to address the issues of retention, recruitment, and promotion of the education profession to both ensure each child has a caring, committed and qualified teacher, and that the priority becomes the physical, social, emotional well-being and academic success of our students.”
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