Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal was recognized Friday as the Hall County School District’s 2025-2026 RESA Pioneer in Education Award recipient.
The annual recognition honors an individual who has made significant, lasting contributions to public education in Georgia.
The son of two school teachers, and previously married to another, Deal has prioritized public education throughout his career, according to HCSD. His mother taught first grade for 40 years, and his children attended and graduated from the Hall County School District.
The district highlighted that even while serving as a United States Congressman, he often volunteered his time to visit local schools and speak to students.
HCSD said that as governor, Deal advocated for “unprecedented” investments in public education.
“Under his leadership, more than one billion dollars in additional state revenue was funneled into K-12 education, teacher salaries were improved, and programs such as the Innovation Fund and Connections for Classrooms Grant enabled local school systems to bring new technologies, expanded learning time, and innovative instruction into their classrooms,” the school district said. “He prioritized K-12 education in the state budget, and in Fiscal Year 2019, his administration announced that Georgia had fully restored the austerity cuts dating back to 2003 in the Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding formula.”
Deal was also previously recognized by The University System of Georgia for his leadership and support of higher education with the Eldridge McMillan Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Governor Deal’s commitment to educational excellence and workforce development has transformed opportunities for Georgia’s students,” Hall County Superintendent Will Schofield, said. “He has always understood that education is the foundation of strong communities and thriving families. His vision continues to guide our work here in Hall County and throughout the state.”
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