State School Superintendent Richard Woods has appointed Christy Todd, the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year and a finalist for National Teacher of the Year, to a new role at the Georgia Department of Education supporting teacher recruitment and retention efforts.
Working in the Office of Teaching and Learning, Todd – who advocated during her time as Teacher of the Year for policies that would make Georgia the #1 state in the nation for teachers to teach – will lead cross-departmental projects designed to grow the teacher pipeline.
“Christy Todd is an outstanding educator who is passionate about ensuring her fellow Georgians can also answer the call to teach,” Superintendent Woods said. “During her term as the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year, she helped thousands of Georgians better understand the influence of a teacher and the impact of the profession. I am thrilled she is joining us at the Georgia Department of Education as we work to recruit great teachers and make sure the classrooms of our state are places where they can build thriving careers.”
In her new role, Todd will work to build a statewide teacher recruitment website and a roadmap for districts to use at the local level to increase teacher retention. She will support GaDOE teacher leadership opportunities – including the Teacher Policy Fellowship and Teacher Advisory Council – and will continue to meet with educators throughout the state to share information on GaDOE teaching and learning resources.
“During my term as the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year, it became clear to me that if Georgia wants to remain the #1 state to do business, we must also become the #1 state for teachers to teach,” Todd said. “The economic futures of our state, communities, families, and students depend on Georgia’s public-school classrooms being led by highly qualified teachers.”
“There is no denying the influence of an educator,” Todd continued. “Teachers change the future when they help students see their potential. It is up to us to make sure every classroom teacher feels supported and valued in their work. I’m honored to continue serving our state in this new role.”
About Christy Todd
Christy Todd served as the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year (GaTOTY) and in January 2024 was named one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY).
During her term as GaTOTY, she delivered more than 150 keynote presentations statewide, with a focus on building connections to support public education, and presented recommendations on ways to make Georgia the #1 state for teachers to teach. She also partnered with high schools, universities, and teacher associations to grow the teacher pipeline, presenting to thousands of potential educators on why teachers are the ultimate influencers.
Todd spent 15 years teaching in Fayette County Public Schools, most of her time spent at Rising Starr Middle School, as a chorus director, music technology teacher, and founder of the district’s Community for Creativity (CFC) initiative. Through the CFC program, students learn to create songs, podcasts, videos, audiobooks, and more, which they then release through the school’s label, Hall Pass Entertainment.
Prior to teaching, Todd worked in nonprofit consulting and business development. She is a published researcher, honor choir clinician, and founding member of the Story Arts Collective, a group of education and industry leaders committed to growing Georgia’s creative workforce. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Shorter College and a Master of Music Education from Florida State University.