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State Board of Education Approves Deputy Superintendent for Turnaround Schools

 Board also approves other key positions     MEDIA CONTACT:  Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358,  mcardoza@gadoe.org  - Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook     December 20, 2010  -- The State Board of Education today approved Sylvia Hooker as the Deputy Superintendent for Turnaround Schools, a position that is directly aligned under the Race to the Top grant.   Ms. Hooker is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Learning with Troup County Schools, where she has served since 2008.   "Ms. Hooker has a vast array of experience and training with lower performing schools," said State School Superintendent Brad Bryant. "She is a dedicated and versatile educator who has all the necessary experience to take on this challenging position."   The Turnaround Schools position is a newly created position under the Race to the Top grant. In collaboration with the Race to the Top Implementation Director, Ms. Hooker will be accountable for turning around the lowest achieving schools in the state.   Several other key positions, including Ms. Hooker's, were also recommended by Superintendent Bryant in consultation with Superintendent-elect Dr. John Barge, including:   Director of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (Audrey Bergeron) - Bergeron is currently the Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Director for the Muscogee County School District. She has held this position since 2006. Prior to that, she was a CTAE teacher at the high school level. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Education from Augusta State University and a Master's Degree, Education Specialist in Business Education and Education Specialist in Leadership from Troy State University.   Director of Governmental Affairs (Matthew Gambill) - Gambill is currently Vice President at Bobby Carrell & Associates. He has held this position since 2003. He has extensive experience in lobbying the Georgia General Assembly, state government officials and agencies on legislative, regulatory and state budgetary issues. In his current role he also serves as the Executive Director for the Georgia Association for Career and Technical Education (GACTE). He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lee University.   Superintendent-elect Barge today also announced that he will appoint Dan Carter as Deputy Superintendent for External Affairs when he takes office January 10. Carter has an extensive background that includes teaching, political consulting and marketing in the banking industry. As Deputy Superintendent for External Affairs, he will build relationships with key public education stakeholders and oversee policy and the overall communication and governmental affairs strategies. Carter received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Georgia Southwestern College.   "I am very excited about having Dan on board and bringing his expertise to the GaDOE," said Superintendent-elect Barge. "He, along with today's other appointments, will help ensure that the agency is focused like never before on customer service and relationship building."
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