I have two topics that I would like to discuss this week. The first is about the election on May 20. This is an historic election. It is the earliest that the primaries have occurred and the future of Georgia's public education will be greatly affected. Many individuals are running for state superintendent. Though I will not endorse any of them I will endorse the importance of educating yourself and researching the 15 candidates and vote smart! Republican candidates are: Mary Kay Bacallao, Ashley Bell, Mike Buck, Sharyl Dawes, Allen Fort, Nancy Jester, Fitz Johnson, Kira Willis, and Richard Woods. Democrat candidates are: Tarnisha Woods, Denise Freeman, Jurita Mays, Alisha Morgan, Rita Robinzine, and Valerie Wilson.  

There is a lot of discussion about how powerful and how much influence the person who eventually becomes our new state superintendent will have. I do know that this person will be the face of public education in Georgia and it would be to our benefit to have someone who understands our point of view and is a friend of public education.  I have been told that only 30% of educators are registered voters. I hope this is a miscalculation but the fact is that not enough of the individuals in our profession are involved in the political process.  For a clear perspective, visit riseabovethemark.com to view a five minute youtube video on politics in education. Stay involved!  

Secondly, I wanted to share my experience this week at Jackson Road Elementary. I attended an event called Market Day where third graders had formed groups, created businesses and were selling their products. These students had to go through all of the business processes from developing a business plan, determining their products, strategize their marketing and then completing a market analysis. The event was set up in the cafeteria and all students were allowed to purchase tickets and buy items. It was fantastic to see the excitement the students had for their products and the fun they had shopping. I want to give a special thank you to board member Pete Graham for participating and spending a great amount of time with the students.  Another big thank you goes to the Partners in Education who originally funded this project and it has continued for three years now. I saw several of the PIE board members participating including Evan Stitt, Skipper Burns, Jeff Jordan and others.

I received an invitation to Market Day from one of the students who took the time to identify and introduce himself to me at Market Day. Board member Pete Graham wrote this to the student who invited him:

All of you had good products, knew how to talk about them, and knew how to close the purchase.  In talking with you, and many of your classmates, I asked questions about prices, how long it took to produce your products and how and when you would mark down your prices.  Everyone had great answers, and

I hope to see you and your classmates again soon!

Best regards,
James A. "Pete" Graham

Everything is looking good and going well; now let's get ready for all the end of May activities and enjoy the ride!

Curtis