The Hall County School District is proud to announce that former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has been selected as the district’s 2025-2026 RESA Pioneer in Education Award recipient. This recognition is given annually to an individual who has made significant, lasting contributions to public education in Georgia and who continues to influence the growth and success of students across the region.

The son of two schoolteachers—and married to one—Governor Deal has always prioritized public education. His mother taught first grade for 40 years, and his children attended and graduated from the Hall County School District. Even while serving as a United States Congressman, he remained closely connected to his roots, often volunteering his time to visit local schools and speak to students.

As governor, Deal led Georgia through a period of unprecedented investment 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. 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.

In higher education, Governor Deal was also a staunch supporter. The University System of Georgia recognized his leadership and long-standing advocacy with the Eldridge McMillan Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his enduring commitment to expanding opportunity for Georgia’s students at every level.

“Governor Deal’s commitment to educational excellence and workforce development has transformed opportunities for Georgia’s students,” said Hall County Superintendent Will Schofield. “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.”

Governor Deal was recognized this morning at the RESA Pioneer in Education Awards Ceremony, where regional honorees from across Northeast Georgia were celebrated for their dedication to advancing learning and leadership in public education.

The Hall County School District extends its gratitude to Governor Deal for his decades of service and for his unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives.