Annette Payne
Reason for running:
I decided to run for the Liberty County School Board, District 4, because I would like the Liberty County School System to once again be a place where teachers want to work and students want to attend. The community is directly impacted by the quality of the school system and many families are choosing to locate in surrounding areas.
I feel my educational and leadership experience uniquely qualifies me for this position.
Platform:
I would like to improve the public perception of the Liberty County School System and be a part of setting policies that will lead to increased student achievement and a positive school climate.
Top three priorities if elected:
1. Improve the public perception of the Liberty County School System.
2. Increase student achievement.
3. Promote a positive school climate which includes but is not limited to improving discipline.
Background:
I moved to Hinesville in 2001 when my husband was stationed at Fort Stewart. While my husband was in the Army I taught mathematics at Liberty County High and served as a Family Readiness Group Leader.
I was awarded the Commanding General’s Pot of Gold Volunteer Recognition Award. As retirement from the Army approached, we decided to remain in Hinesville. We will very soon celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. Our two sons graduated from the Liberty County School System and I taught mathematics there for 16 years.
Education: My educational background is bachelor of science, mathematics education from Northwestern State University; master of education, educational leadership and dducational specialist, secondary education, both from Georgia Southern University.
I also attended Georgia Leadership for School Improvement as a teacher leader and as a member of the Liberty County High School leadership team.
I have received numerous awards in my teaching career: Liberty County System teacher of the year, Liberty County High School teacher of the year, Walmart teacher of the year, Liberty County System STAR teacher.
For the past two years I have served as the altruism chairman for an international honorary organization of women educators. We collected over 1,800 books in one day for USO reading rooms and many of these books were earmarked for the new reading room on Fort Stewart.