Georgia's First Lady Deal visits 900th school

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - Georgia's First Lady Sandra Deal made her 900th school visit this week when she visited Rowland Elementary School in Stone Mountain.

“My goal has been and continues to be encouraging children to want to learn to read,” said Mrs. Deal. “I plan to continue my visits to schools as long as I have the opportunity to serve and I hope to visit many of the schools I have not yet been to. Reading is the gift that keeps on giving and education is essential for any student to achieve lifelong success. Knowledge is power, and when we teach students to love reading at an early age, we give them the confidence to acquire that power for the rest of their lives.”

According to a news release from the Governor’s Office of Communications, Mrs. Deal has visited schools in all of Georgia’s 159 counties and all 181 public school districts since Governor Nathan Deal took office in 2011.

“Early in Gov. Deal’s administration, Mrs. Deal quickly set a high standard of work ethic among the staff,” said Chris Riley, Governor Deal's chief of staff. “As a passionate advocate for student achievement, Mrs. Deal cares for each of the students she meets and she has inspired countless young people to love reading. Come Jan. 14, 2019, I would not be surprised if Mrs. Deal has visited 1,000 schools across Georgia.”

When Ms. Deal visits a school, she typically meets with the office staff, reads to students, recognizes educators and discusses the importance of childhood literacy, according to the Governor’s Office of Communications. Ms. Deal also participated in Georgia Pre-K week where she visited 24 schools.

Ms. Deal is a co-chair of the Georgia Literacy Commission, plays a significant role in Read Across Georgia Month and has partnered with the Get Georgia Reading Campaign, according to the Governor’s Office of Communications.