Barbara Andrews Landreth, Georgia’s Longest-Serving Educator

• Landreth taught for 59 years – all at Newnan High School.

• She was recruited in 1961 to fill a vacancy in the English Department.

• Except for the first few years of her career, she taught Junior English/ American Literature in Room 106.

• Landreth became yearbook co-sponsor in 1962 and continued as co-sponsor until 1967 when she became head sponsor. She remained yearbook sponsor until her retirement in 2020.

• When PAGE was founded in 1975, Landreth quickly saw the value in becoming a member. “As soon as I could join, I did,” she said.

• She was selected as STAR teacher five times.

• She has taught numerous state and national leaders, educators, truck drivers, business men and women, healthcare professionals, mechanics, persons in the service industry, members of the military and law enforcement, clerks, band directors, several county officials, the late writer Lewis Grizzard, and country music superstar Alan Jackson.

• Many of her students, several of whom contributed to this article, have kept in touch with Landreth over the years – sending her gifts, letters, copies of books they’ve written, and birthday cards every four years. (Landreth was born on Leap Day, February 29.)

• Landreth has edited dozens of books and dissertations, most of which were written by former students and colleagues.

• Landreth served with seven Newnan High School principals – two of whom were once her students.

• During her nearly six decades of service, Landreth worked with nine Coweta County Schools superintendents – one of whom had been her student.

• In 2015, State School Superintendent Richard Woods made a surprise visit to Room 106 to meet with Landreth during Teacher Appreciation Week. This year, at PAGE Day on Capitol Hill, Woods presented her with special commendations of recognition and appreciation on behalf of the Georgia Department of Education.

• Also at PAGE Day on Capitol Hill, Landreth was honored with resolutions by both the Georgia Senate and the Georgia House of Representatives. [Read more on page 12.]

• In March, Landreth received a special commendation from Gov. Brian Kemp in recognition of her dedication to excellence in the teaching profession and of her many years of service to Georgia’s children.

By Scotty Brewington

Effective teachers are always looking for innovative ways to improve instruction and help their students succeed –and when they find something that really works, they are excited and eager to share new super-powered tips and tools with their peers.

Though the past few years have brought many unprecedented difficulties and challenges to teaching, it has also inspired educators to try new things. In some cases, technologies that were adopted during the pandemic out of necessity have since been expanded into everyday use in the classroom. In others, teachers have found new ways to build classroom community and create safe spaces where students feel comfortable engaging with lesson material. Younger students, who may lack social-emotional development due to missed time in the classroom, are now benefitting from new strategies used to improve their ability to relate and collaborate with fellow students. And, teachers have found innovative ways to inspire timid students to speak up in class, and to get all students to try new and hard things.

From science teachers who are using digital publishing and podcasting to engage students through new mediums to English teachers who are going back to the basics and helping students improve their confidence inside the classroom and beyond, Georgia educators have continued to find ways to reach students and create environments that make it easier to learn.

In this issue, PAGE members from throughout the state share with us the favorite technologies, strategies, practices, and tools they have incorporated into their classrooms that have made the most positive impact on students. Most are inexpensive or even free and they are simple to adopt. All of them benefit students. We asked, “what is the single most exciting and effective tool, strategy, or resource you are using in your classrooms today?” This is what they said…