Posts by:
Michelle Wirth

Avis Herron is K-3 teacher at The Globe Academy. Despite the challenges of teaching in a pandemic, Ms. Herron plans engaging lessons, maintains excellent classroom management (of students at home […]

Jorden Gamble is a fourth grade math and science teacher at Spring Creek Charter Academy. The fellow Spring Creek educator who nominated Gamble describes her as a “ball of energy” […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has been emotionally challenging for students of all ages. To keep students connected and support their well-being, Deonte Bridges, an eighth grade English Language Arts teacher at […]

ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp signed vital charter school legislation today during a bill signing ceremony held at Kennesaw State University. Senate Bill 59 provides more equitable funding and resources for Georgia’s 70,000 public charter school students. The signing of SB 59 into law comes after receiving approval from the Georgia General Assembly during the 2021 legislative session.

Kelly Crews is a second grade teacher at Spring Creek Charter Academy. She was nominated by a parent who says Mrs. Crews is making a difference in the classroom and has had a big impact on her son’s education.

Russell Savage, a sixth grade English Language Arts teacher at Fulton Academy of Science and Technology (FAST), helped his fellow educators adapt to remote learning. That’s according to the fellow FAST charter school educator who nominated Mr. Russell.

As a Gifted/EIP teacher, Mrs. Ingram has daily contact with most Tybee Island Maritime Academy children and teachers and is depended on by everyone. She is an educator that any teacher or student can go to at any time and Mrs. Ingram is ready to help or offer a solution. She is positive, dedicated and a bright light at the Tybee Island Maritime Academy.

Coach Barber, a physical education teacher at Spring Creek Charter Academy, was nominated by multiple parents. Spring Creek families say she works hard to make sure all students are enjoying physical education and goes above and beyond to help student athletes improve.

Ebony Dames, a Kindergarten and art teacher at SLAM Academy of Atlanta, worked hard to make sure students attending school face-to-face and those learning virtually were getting a similar classroom experience. Since September, the state charter school where Dames works has operated in a hybrid learning model with half of its students attending on Mondays and Wednesdays and the other half learning in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To keep students engaged, Dames placed a camera directly in front of her SMART Board so students attending at home could get a direct view. At the same time, she made sure not to block the classroom so students in person could see their classmates online. Dames partnered with parents by providing frequent communication in short videos, emails and an online platform the school uses.

More Georgia children will soon have access to a high-quality public school thanks to a vote by the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia. On Wednesday, the SCSC approved five public charter schools participating in Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Charter Incubator program, a competitive and rigorous, year-long training process that recruits and trains top talent to start public charter schools in Georgia. DeKalb Brilliance Academy, Liberation Academy, Miles Ahead Charter School, Peace Academy and ZEST Preparatory Academy were among a group of only six new start-up charter school petitioners the SCSC decided to authorize for the 2022-2023 school year.

Read this Savannah Morning News story on the passage of Senate Bill 59, a bill that will bring more funding and resource to Georgia charter schools. The story features GCSA President and CEO, Tony Roberts and Barry Lollis, Executive Director of Savannah Classical Academy and Peter Ulrich, principal of Tybee Island Maritime Academy!

We’re thrilled that the Georgia General Assembly approved Senate Bill 59, a bill that will bring more funding and resources to Georgia public charter schools. Our President and CEO, Tony Roberts, was quoted in this Albany Herald story on the passage of Senate Bill 59: https://bit.ly/3a7o7b3