Macon teacher combines Miss Georgia USA pageant run with advocacy for schools

For the past three years, Tonisha Moore has spent her weekdays teaching science at John R. Lewis Elementary — the same school she attended as a child.

But this summer, the 27-year-old Macon native and educator is stepping into a new spotlight as “Miss Macon USA,” a contestant in the upcoming 2025 Miss Georgia USA pageant.

Moore, a third-grade teacher, has used her pageant platform to launch “The Heart of Education,” a campaign focused on bridging the gap between families and schools in Title I communities like her own.

Title I schools are public schools that receive federal money to help students meet academic standards. The funds, provided under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, go to schools with a high percentage of low-income students.

According to the latest state data, all public schools in Macon are Title I schools.

“As a teacher in a Title I school in an underserved community, I see the struggles that the parents and teachers deal with,” she said. “There’s a huge gap between our community, the parents and the teachers. If we don’t build those relationships with the parents, then it’s a little hard for us to push the success of our students.”

Moore said misconceptions often surround Title I schools.

“Just because a Title I school is funded by the federal government, it doesn’t mean that they have everything they need,” she said. “I can see the difference between the schools in the privileged communities, aside from the things that the Title I schools in underserved communities have, such as technologies and sponsors.”

Moore said her mission is to connect families and educators in Macon while strengthening community partnerships to help meet students’ needs, regardless of any challenges that arise.

Ahead of the competition, Moore hosted a free, summer kickoff event on May 31 at John R. Lewis Elementary to share her advocacy work, meet community members and encourage school-family engagement.

John R. Lewis Elementary School Principal Adrienne Hurley said Moore’s campaign comes at a crucial time.

“It is a very timely campaign platform, because so many schools in Georgia are (Title I) schools. Title I helps to supplement so many necessary programs that serve our students and community. Parents are a vital component to student success and that is why partnering with parents helps are schools to be successful,” Hurley told The Telegraph in an email.

“(Tonisha) is passionate about students succeeding in school and having equitable opportunities,” Hurley added. “She really cares about her students and the community.”

Moore decided to compete in the Miss Georgia USA pageant as a way to build confidence after overcoming depression. She sees it as an opportunity for personal growth — and to show her students what’s possible.

“A lot of them don’t understand what pageantry is, but I tell them to learn from me,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what job your parents have or house you live in. If you have a dream, you can achieve it.”

Moore said she plans to continue using her platform to help others by starting a mentorship program for early-career educators and hosting sessions for parents on student curriculum and academic standards.

“Parents are really not knowledgeable on the things that their students are learning,” she said. “So, I want to give them an opportunity to inform themselves on that because then we can further push the success of our children — our scores would go up, our (Georgia) Milestone tests score would be greater and our retention rate would be lower.”

Hurley said she was surprised to learn Moore was entering the state-wide pageant because she is so quiet, but added that she is proud of her for running.

“Her journey will serve as a source of inspiration and pride,” Hurley said.

Moore initially majored in biology but was inspired to pursue education by several family members who were teachers. She now sees her career as divinely guided.

“Since I’ve become a teacher, it has been very rewarding to be a part in student growth and seeing them grow as individuals,” she said.

If crowned Miss Georgia USA, Moore plans to continue implementing initiatives supporting Title I families and highlighting parental advocacy and community engagement events.

The 2025 Miss Georgia USA pageant is scheduled for June 26 to June 28 in Clarksville, Tennessee.