PCHS students Tori Sheppard and Trenton Lewis (right).

State School Superintendent Richard Woods has selected 67 Georgia students to serve on his 2022-2023 Student Advisory Council. Throughout the year, these students will meet with Superintendent Woods to provide feedback on the impact of state policies in the classroom. Trenton Lewis and Tori Sheppard, both seniors at Putnam County High School, were selected for the Oconee region. 

Members of the Student Advisory Council will also discuss other education-related issues, serve as the superintendent’s ambassadors to their respective schools, and participate in service projects to benefit schools and students. 

“It is extremely important to me to receive direct feedback from those impacted by the decisions I make,” Superintendent Woods said. “Our purpose at the Georgia Department of Education is to open up opportunities for students. Building relationships with the Student Advisory Council members helps me ensure our policies are meeting their intended purpose, and allows me to make decisions that will benefit children throughout the state.” 

Each year, any student in grades 10-12 attending a Georgia public school may fill out an application to be considered for the Student Advisory Council. The application includes short essay prompts that allow students to share their ideas for public education. 

“I wanted to apply to the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council because I have lots of ideas to help better the education system and help students be more involved and excited to learn,” Sheppard said. “I am excited to get to meet with students from all over and discuss things that matter to us personally.” 

The council includes students from every Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) region in Georgia; students from rural, suburban, and urban schools are represented. Because the Georgia Department of Education works to ensure the council is representative of students in all regions of the state and selects members based on the strength of their essay answers, in some cases, multiple students from a district or school may be selected. 

“I didn’t actually think I would get on, but I’m really excited and interested in what I can contribute and what I can learn from this experience,” Lewis stated. 

The first 2022-2023 Student Advisory Council meeting was held at the Georgia Department of Education’s offices in November.