Our 2020 Annual Report illuminates the stories of leaders who "powered up" their teams and communities to reimagine school and ensure students' learning, safety and sense of belonging during a trying and difficualt year. We proudly highlight GLISI's own power-up journey in providing support, community and connection to 1,533 teachers and leaders in Georgia and beyond.

*FISCAL YEAR 2020: JULY 1, 2019 TO JUNE 30, 2020

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There was going to be another 2020 story. It was going to be a breakthrough year in bringing to life GLISI’s work in developing leader social-emotional competencies for which the need on July 1, 2019—the beginning of our fiscal year—was already urgent and great. Indeed, there are many stories emerging from July 1 to March 13, 2020 that merit entire annual reports of their own. Stories of personal transformation among teachers and leaders that led to cultural transformation in their schools, ultimately transforming learning experiences and outcomes for students.

But along with the world, GLISI pressed pause as we navigated waters that overnight on March 13 turned 30-year education veterans into novices. And pause we did. We invite you to quietly reflect as we did on how, in those moments of uncertainty, we were guided as a leadership organization by one question: how can we lead and live our mission in a way that is relevant to the leaders, students, and communities we serve? We invite you to experience with us how the quality of pausing is one that we take forward with us out of 2020.

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It was in that pausing that we found our way forward. You will see our report uses the metaphor of "Power Up" to organize what we learned alongside our partners. Just as you do with your familiar electronic devices, you’ll “Rewind” with us as we look back on our impact in this consequential year. In “Pause,” we explore the many ways in which we took moments of reflection and inward examination. Of course, it was not all about pausing in 2020. We turned the "Volume Up" to amplify voice, including those of the heroes of 2020: teachers, classified staff, and the inner voices of leaders which were the guideposts for the difficult decisions and tireless support that ensured students and families stayed fed, connected, and learning throughout the pandemic ordeal.

We share these with you less in triumphant reminiscing and more as a source of inspiration and strength for what remains ahead, for what is possible even in the bleakest of times, and in hopeful expectation of what is to come. These stories are a tribute to the courage, ingenuity, and tenacity of education leaders who held together every community of our state throughout this trying year.

Warmly,

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Leslie Hazle Bussey, Ph.D.
Executive Director

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John Satelmajer
Board Chair

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"2020 was a year to think beyond what we’ve always done and provide community and voice to our education leaders who need it now, more than ever."

Brooke Perez

GLISI BOARD MEMBER

"2020 was a year to think beyond what we’ve always done and provide community and voice to our education leaders who need it now, more than ever."

Brooke Perez

GLISI BOARD MEMBER

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Our mission is fueled by this influential group of business and education thought leaders who offered counsel, oversight and encouragement that powered up our team and our impact this year.

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BOARD CHAIR

John Satelmajer

FINANCIAL SERVICES PARTNER
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

 

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Matt Colvin

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
University System of Georgia

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Brooke Perez

MANAGER
Georgia Power

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Loren Starr

CFO (Retired)
Invesco

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Jody Barrow

SUPERINTENDENT (Retired)
Fayette County Public Schools

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Steve Dolinger

PRESIDENT
GA Partnership for Excellence in Education

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Dave Peterson

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
Literacy for All

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Valerie Wilson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Georgia School Boards Association

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Adrian Bazemore

MANAGER
Chick-fil-a, Inc.

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Jonathan Love

HEAD OF FINANCE & REVENUE OPERATIONS
Flock Safety

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Korynn Schooley

VICE PRESIDENT
Achieve Atlanta

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John Zauner

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Georgia School Superintendents Association