About Us

Message from Executive Director

Welcome!

As teachers and administrators, you work relentlessly to educate the students in southeast Georgia. At Okefenokee RESA, we work to support the schools and districts in their educational missions.

Our consultants and support staff have always worked to provide the highest quality of service for our school districts through professional learning opportunities, cooperative purchasing opportunities, and technical services.

Please take a look at our Classes and Member Services pages to see all the ways we can help educators.

Thanks so much,
Dr. Greg Jacobs
gjacobs@okresa.org

Staff

Dr. Brandon Carter

912-285-6128

School Leadership / Accountability Specialist & Title IX Coordinator
Roxie Tumlin

912-338-5998

GLRS Director
Dr. Haley Livingston

912-285-6317

PL Coordinator and School Climate Specialist
Rhonda Gatewood

912-285-6313

GaTAPP Coordinator
Katie Antczak
Science Specialist, Okefenokee Swamp Park
Dr. Elizabeth Oliver

912-285-6318

Math Specialist
Leslie Giraldo

912-285-6316

ELA Specialist
Cindy Hitt

912-285-6310

ELA Specialist
Dr. Delia Garrett
ELA Specialist
Dr. Wendy Good

912-285-6311

K-3 Literacy Coach
Dr. Reba Smith

912-285-6134

K-3 Literacy Coach
Stephany Smith

912-285-6309

K-3 Literacy Coach
Renee Martin

912-285-6653

Wraparound Specialist
Lindsay Hopkins

912-514-4125

GLRS Consultant
Dana Robbins

912-338-5994

GLRS Consultant
Dr. Jenny Barnes

912-285-6476

GLRS Consultant
Iris Collins
Business Manager
Jennifer Hale

912-285-6147

Registrar
Becky Taylor
Bookkeeper
Margaret Corbitt
Bookkeeper / Receptionist
Blake Dowling
Technician

History of RESAs

Current and Former Okefenokee RESA Executive Directors

Dr. Greg Jacobs
July 2017 – Present

Ms. Terri DeLoach
January 2017 – June 2017
(Interim)

Ms. Peggy Stovall
2009 – 2016

Dr. Teresa Pack
2001 – 2009

Dr. Robert Bellamy
2000 – 2001

Dr. A. L. Woodard
1970 – 1999

History of RESA’s in Georgia

The first educational service agencies began operation in Georgia in 1966 as providers of “shared services.” In 1972, the Georgia General Assembly created a network of Cooperative Educational Service agencies (CESAs). In 1986, legislation established the current network of Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs) which has been refined and improved by subsequent legislation. RESAs are defined and regulated by Georgia Statute (O.C.G.A. 20-2-270, 20-2-270.1, 20-2-271, 20-2-272, 20-2-273, and 20-2-274).

    • Georgia RESAs are governed by local Boards of Control that are established by the Georgia General Assembly. Duties and operation of Boards of Control are specified by legislation and by State Board of Education Rule. (State Board Rule 160-5-1-.13)
    • Board of Control membership is comprised of all superintendents of member school systems, presidents of the institutions of the University System of Georgia and technical colleges in the region, and a representative of the Georgia Regional Library System.
    • Boards of Control function like local Boards of Education. They establish policy, approve budgets and personnel, determine services of the RESA, and evaluate the agency’s work. Boards of Control function as the school boards for special schools operated by the RESA.
    • The RESA governance system allows the local school systems and public colleges to determine, manage, evaluate, and partially fund the services they receive. In Georgia RESAs, those who know local educational needs best — Superintendents and College Presidents — own and direct regional services of the RESA. 

Board of Control

The Okefenokee RESA Board of Control is comprised of the Superintendents of our 9 member systems as well as the Presidents of South Georgia State College and Coastal Pines Technology College and the Director of the Okefenokee Regional Library.

Mission
Okefenokee RESA supports our local school systems in building capacity of teachers, leaders, and staff through professional learning and technical services that lead to increased student achievement and college and career ready graduates.

 

Vision
High Quality Service and Support for All

 Beliefs

  1. Research-based professional learning improves the effectiveness of educators.
  2. Rigorous instructional practices support the preparation of college and career ready graduates.
  3. School Improvement initiatives support student learning.
  4. Shared services, including cooperative purchasing, increase cost-effectiveness for systems.
  5. Collaboration with other agencies maximizes the impact of educational initiatives.
  6. Capacity building in schools and systems is the key to sustained improvement.
  7. Accountability, through progress monitoring, promotes and ensures continuous improvement.
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