Emily Jennette

Each spring is an exciting year for the Georgia Partnership. It is then that the Department of Education announces the selection of the Teacher of the Year who will represent her or his fellow teachers throughout the coming school year. With that selection comes an automatic position on the Partnership's Board of Directors. Last year the Partnership welcomed the 2008 Teacher of the Year to its Board. Ms. Emily Jennette, a second grade teacher at Marietta School's Sawyer Road Elementary, has served the state tirelessly since her selection and has also been a valuable member of the Partnership having served as the chairperson of Bus Trip Across Georgia's north route last September. We are grateful for her service and at the same time look forward to welcoming the 2009 Teacher of the Year who will be named soon.

The Georgia Partnership's Board of Directors is comprised of professionals from many different fields but all are united in a common goal: raising student achievement in Georgia. We are grateful for their governance and service and especially proud when they are recognized for individual achievement. Here is just a sample of some of their past honors and accolades:

VOICES Award Winners

Four of the seven honorees at the first annual VOICES for Georgia’s Children “Big Voice” awards dinner have strong Georgia Partnership ties. U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, a current Partnership Board member; Tom Upchurch, past president of the Partnership; Mel Kruger, CEO, L.E. Schwartz & Son, Inc., Macon, current board member and one of the Partnership’s founding members in 1990; and Otis Johnson, current Savannah mayor and Board member, were all honored for their tireless efforts on behalf of making children a priority in Georgia.