Education Notebook: Mercer professor honored for legislative efforts
The American Physical Therapy Association presented Mercer University professor Joseph Donnelly with its State Legislative Leadership Award for his outstanding efforts during the 2015 Georgia General Assembly Session.
Under Donnelly’s leadership, a legislative campaign to modernize physical therapy practice act culminated with the passage of House Bill 505 with bipartisan support in both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly. This comprehensive legislation allows Georgians to access physical therapy treatments without the referral of a physician.
GRANT FUNDS FINANCIAL SESSIONS AT MGSU
Middle Georgia State University is among 15 institutions in the nation -- and the only one in the South -- to receive a “Financial Literacy Counts” grant from Higher One.
With the $2,500 award, Middle Georgia State developed a peer financial counseling program. Students who have been through PFC training serve as peer counselors to help other students with money-management skills.
CGTC NAMED AWARD FINALIST
Central Georgia Technical College has been chosen as a finalist for the 2015 Excalibur Awards. Winners will be officially recognized at the 2015 Excalibur Awards ceremony on Friday, Oct. 23 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
CGTC was selected from among over 60 applications submitted by companies and organizations from across Georgia. The college is being recognized for innovation in its educational delivery model.
BIBB SCHOOLS CELEBRATE ‘BOWTIE TUESDAY’
Bowtie Tuesday is spreading throughout the Bibb County school system due to the efforts to District Chief of Staff Keith Simmons. Students, faculty and staff are all encouraged to join in the fun and wear a bowtie on Tuesdays.
Simmons says he began celebrating the day nearly four years ago while he was the principal of Griffin High School at the request and suggestion of students.
“The goal was three-fold: to draw attention to positive (and stylish) appearance, to promote the value of dressing for success and to build relationships with my students,” Simmons said. “It’s something about the bowtie that distinguishes a person’s appearance, and I wanted to be able to convey that message to my students.
VETERANS STUDENT CHOSEN FOR STATE COUNCIL
Veterans High School student Chase Gowan has been chosen for State School Superintendent Richard Woods’ 2015-2016 Student Advisory Council. The students will meet with Woods to discuss how state policies affect the classroom and other issues related to education. The youth will also serve as Woods’ ambassadors at their respective schools.
Only 110 secondary students were selected statewide based on essays from more than 1,500 applicants.
PEACH TEACHER GETS FALCONS RECOGNITION
Kay Road Elementary School teacher Terri Moore was honored by the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.
The program included a brief video from the Atlanta Falcons, and the team’s cheerleaders and mascot were in attendance. Moore will receive a jersey, tickets to the game on Oct. 4th, VIP sideline passes, her picture on the big screen during the game and a monetary presentation from Suntrust Bank to Kay Road Elementary.
HOUSTON TEACHER HONORED BY ATLANTA DREAM
Shirley Hills Elementary School Principal Traci Jackson was recognized during an Atlanta Dream Basketball Game in August as a 2015 Inspiring Woman. She was presented the award by Mary Brock, one of the Dream team owners.
Educators in Georgia were also paraded on the court during halftime for Teachers and Educators Appreciation.
Telegraph writers Oby Brown and Jeremy Timmerman contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 28, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Education Notebook: Mercer professor honored for legislative efforts ."