Jeri Michie (https://www.votejeriforwalton.com/)
1. What do you see as the top issues affecting the School District in the next four years? I believe the top issues facing the Walton County School district include: • Significant student population growth, especially in south Walton Our county is currently experiencing substantial student growth. Several county schools will have students in portable buildings for the upcoming school year, some are at capacity, and others are too large. We are already behind in planning and building for our current growth and must make planning for growth a top priority. • A below state average high school graduation rate Our county high school graduation rate for the 2015-16 school year is 3% below the state average. Improving the graduation rate is a K-12th grade issue. Improvement in hiring and retaining highly qualified classroom teachers in every classroom, reducing school population size and reducing guidance counselor testing responsibilities are some ways we can begin to work on raising graduation rates. We must make improving our county graduation rate a top priority. • Improved programs to recruit, hire, train and retain highly qualified, well prepared classroom teachers. Our school system must be vigilant to hire and retain highly qualified, well prepared, teachers in every Walton county school classroom. Our programs and training for recruiting, vetting, hiring, mentoring and retaining teachers needs to become more effective and successful. Improving these programs should be a top priority.
2. Why do you want to serve on the School Board, and why are you the best choice? I was blessed to have passionate, highly trained and effective teachers in elementary and middle school. As a result I realized my life’s purpose was to teach. Every child in Walton County deserves a joy-filled, well-trained, effective teacher. Serving as a School Board member will give me the opportunity to put my 34 years of experience as a lifelong educator to work to ensure every child in Walton County has an exemplary teacher. Extensive experience makes me the best choice for a position on the School Board. I've taught in elementary school, middle school, and high school, and I earned masters and specialist degrees in middle school education and school administration. I was selected by my peers as school Teacher of the Year three times. I've worked as teacher, math coach, principal and bus driver in both elementary and middle schools, and have worked for the state as a school improvement specialist assigned to improve low performing schools. Most recently, I was principal of a Christian pre-k through 8th grade private school. Experience with pre-k through 12th grade gives me the wisdom needed to serve as a School Board member. Most importantly, becoming a parent and raising children had a significant impact on my teaching skills, leadership abilities, and administrative wisdom. For these reasons, I believe I would be the best candidate for School Board.
3. If elected, what is your top priority for your term? My top priority for my term will be to meet and regularly communicate with the school stakeholders of Walton County, our parents, teachers and staff. We have lost trust in Washington and Tallahassee. It's important to regain local control of our schools and restore faith in local officials. Getting stakeholders involved is more than attending PTO meetings or being a room mom. Stakeholders who, communicate, participate and become active in their schools parent council meetings and school improvement plans become invested in the success of their community school. Clear and regularly planned communication with school stakeholders will be a top priority.
4. What are your qualifications for office? My qualifications for office include being an educator with 34 years of experience in elementary school, middle school, and high school; a math teacher, assistant principal and principal for public and private schools; a teacher in pre-K–12th grade; a school Improvement Specialist at the State Department of Education; and a certified school bus driver. My formal education includes: an Education Specialist Degree, Educational Administration, Valdosta State University; a Masters of Education, Educational Administration, Valdosta State University; an Educational Specialist certification, Middle Grades Education, Valdosta State University; a Masters of Education, Middle Grades Education, Valdosta State University; and a Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education, Georgia Southern University. My honors and community activities include: Teacher of the Year; Professional Association of Educators Outstanding District Member Award; Jim Hall Humanitarian Award for work with Special Education programs; Volunteer Soccer, Tennis, and Baseball coach; American Cancer Society Chairman; Church Children's Director; and member of Destiny Worship Center. I have been married for 36 years to Scott Michie, former principal with 38 years teaching experience. We have two sons, Brian and Bradley, and one granddaughter. We were selected Junior Woman's Club Family of the Year.
