Georgia Educators Unite to Support Isakson's Re-Election Campaign

Senator Announces ‘Educators for Isakson’ Leadership

Jun 11, 2010

ATLANTA – Today, U.S. Senator and Senate candidate Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., announced the leadership of Educators for Isakson, a group made up of current and retired Georgia educators who have pledged support for his re-election campaign. The members will work to get educators across the state involved in the political process and communicate Isakson’s extensive record of working towards enhancing and improving our nation’s education system.

“I’m proud to support Johnny because he is truly passionate about education and has consistently supported teachers and our efforts to provide a quality education for our students. He has a clear vision of the role of education in America and the link it provides to economic prosperity for our country. He also understands the need for flexibility in education and the call for on-going revision in order to achieve our educational goals,” said Angela Bush, an elementary school teacher in Madison County.

“Johnny Isakson has demonstrated a keen understanding of educational issues and concerns over the years by continually supporting us at both the state and federal levels. He has provided opportunities for input from educators, students, and parents to ensure student achievement and success,” said Sandra Thompson, who is a postsecondary administrator and serves as the Educator Chair for the Georgia Republican Party.

Isakson served as chairman of the Georgia Board of Education for three years after being appointed by then-Gov. Zell Miller in 1996. In the U.S. Congress, Isakson successfully led efforts to pass education legislation that has resulted in the most significant improvement to our education system in a generation. Currently, he serves on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

“No group of individuals plays a greater role in building a better future for all Americans than our educators. Education plays a central role in building our capacity to meet tomorrow’s challenges from national security to economic competitiveness,” said Isakson. “It has been a great privilege to work on behalf of teachers and students for so many years, and I am committed to continuing that work in the United States Senate.”

The following co-chairs will lead the efforts of Educators for Isakson:

Mary Arnold
Teacher, Bartow County

David Avery
Principal, Treutlen High and Middle School

Wanda Barrs
Chair, State Board of Education - 8th District

Dave Belton
Member, Morgan County Board of Education

James Bostic
Member, State Board of Education - 5th District

Michael Boyle
Teacher, Jones Elementary School

Dr. Maria Bradley
Principal, North Murray County High School

Brad Bryant
Member, State Board of Education - 4th District

Angela Bush
Elementary Educator, Madison County

Rep. Brooks Coleman
State Representative, Chairman of the House Education Committee

Kathy Cox
Georgia State Superintendent of Schools

Cindy Cupp
Retired Curriculum Director, Georgia Department of Education

Buster Evans
Superintendent, Forsyth County Schools

Brad Hayes
Principal, Walker County Schools

Don Hight
Retired Associate State Superintendent, Warner Robins

Gena Ierardi
Principal, Odum Elementary School

Emily Lembeck
Superintendent, Marietta City Schools

Karen Lockhart
Associate Principal, Walton High School

Ed Murray
Former Chair, Douglas County Board of Education

Mary Sue Murray
Member, State Board of Education - 13th District

Sandra Parker
CTAE Director, Lee County Schools

Gilbert Parrish
Founder and CEO, Parrish, Brumfield and Associates

Janet Peeler
Special Education Consultant, PFI Global

Jose Perez
Member, State Board of Education - 7th District

Niles Reddick
Academic Vice President, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Dr. Frances Roberson
Business Department Chair, Life University

Holly Robinson
Commissioner, Bright from the Start Early Care and Learning

Fred Sanderson
Superintendent, Cobb County School District

Will Schofield
Superintendent, Hall County Schools

Bo Slack
Teacher, Worth County High School

Alice Chappell Slocumb
Teacher, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Michelle Smith
Educator, Harris County

Charlotte Stowers
Retired Principal, Pope High School

Sandra Thompson
Postsecondary Administrator/Faculty

Sheri Thrower
Educator

Dr. Judy Napier True
Retired Professor, North Georgia College and State University

Lisa Underwood
Instructional Supervisor, Worth County Middle School

Ronda Ware
Reading Specialist, Floyd County Schools

Alvin Wilbanks
CEO/Superintendent, Gwinnett County Public Schools

Carol Williams
Former Member, State Board of Education

Larry Winter
Member, State Board of Education - 9th District

Isakson is building from the same successful strategy he used in 2004 when he won the election to the U.S. Senate with more votes than any candidate had ever received up to that point in the state of Georgia.

For more information on Isakson’s re-election campaign or how to become involved in Educators for Isakson, please contact 770-818-1493.