Roy Barnes 2010

Our state’s primary responsibility is to educate the next generation of Georgians. Protecting and improving Georgia’s public education system is the key to solving many of the challenges our state is facing. However, over the last several years, our elected officials under the Gold Dome haven’t been listening to the messages that teachers bring from Georgia’s classrooms – and as a result, public education has been undermined by steep budget cuts, and teachers have been the ones paying the price. It’s time to make education work in Georgia.

I'll be the first to admit that I didn’t do enough listening during my first term as Governor. I tried to do too much, too fast, and I didn’t take the time to explain my plans for the state’s education system.

Over the past several months, I have spent a lot of time traveling back and forth across Georgia. In every town that I visit, I make it a priority to meet with teachers and listen to their ideas and concerns. One thing is clear: educators are struggling to do more with a whole lot less. We cannot expect improvement in our public schools when we cut $3.5 billion from the education budget over the past seven years.

A robust public education system is the only guarantee that our children, and our state, have for a promising tomorrow – and I firmly believe that teachers are the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to preserving the potential of our state’s next generation.

We created this site with teachers in mind. Check back often for campaign updates, education news, and to connect with other educators all across our state – and don’t forget to sign up and become a part of the Teachers for Roy team.

We want to hear from you. I’m listening.

Together, let’s make Georgia work.

Sincerely,