Henry County Schools Celebrates School Board Appreciation Week March 10-14

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Henry County Schools proudly celebrates Georgia School Board Appreciation Week from March 10-14, recognizing the invaluable service of its dedicated and visionary Board of Education.

The five-member team has emphasized collaboration and responsible stewardship in answering the call for a continuous “Pursuit of Exceptional” in Henry County Schools. This strategy has been fundamental to the Board’s success in recent years, earning it the title of Georgia’s Large System Governance Team of the Year in November 2023. Learn more about each member of the Henry County Board of Education:

Board Chair Sophe Pope - Represents District 4 and has been a board member since 2019.

What inspired you to become a member of the Board of Education?

I am so grateful for the education I received as a student in Henry County Schools. As I became a mother, I wanted to do my part to ensure this generation, as well as generations to come, have the same strong educational foundation to prepare them for success in life!

What are you most passionate about when it comes to serving Henry County students?

I love working alongside my wonderful colleagues to provide new opportunities and access for every child in response to our community's dreams and aspirations. It brings me so much joy to visit a school and see the investments we've made coming to life through the efforts of our incredible teachers, leaders, staff, and students!

Is there a role model, philosophy, or quote that guides or influences your approach to board governance?

I wholeheartedly believe in the life-changing, barrier-breaking power of public education, and am so honored to get to be a champion for its impact every day!

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Board Vice Chair Annette Edwards - Represents District 2 and has been a board member since 2015.

What inspired you to become a member of the Henry County Board of Education?

I elected to serve on the Board of Education because of my deep love for education and my desire to be a change agent for the school district where I dedicated 33 years to teaching. I was inspired to make a difference for my community and especially for every student in our district. My mission has always been to ensure that every child, no matter where they live in Henry County, receives the quality education they deserve.

What is your vision for the future of education in Henry County Schools?

My vision for the future of education in the Henry County School System is for every child, regardless of their background or address, to have access to a high-quality, equitable education that prepares them for success in an ever-changing world. I envision schools that foster innovation, inclusivity, and a commitment to the whole child, where students not only achieve academic excellence but also develop the critical-thinking, creative, and social-emotional skills needed for lifelong success. Through collaborative leadership, equitable resource allocation, and community engagement, I am dedicated to building a future where every student is empowered to reach their full potential and every family feels valued as a partner in their child's educational journey.

Is there a role model, philosophy, or quote that guides or influences your approach to board governance?

Marian Wright Edelman, civil rights, children's rights activist, and founder of the Children's Defense Fund has been a lifelong advocate for educational equity. Her work emphasizes the importance of ensuring all children, especially those from underserved communities, have access to quality education and opportunities, which fuels my conviction to promote equity in education.

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Dr. Pam Nutt - Represents District 1 and has been a board member since 1997.

What inspired you to become a member of the Henry County Board of Education?

I graduated from Henry County High School, now McDonough High School in 1977, and later pursued education-related degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. I also hold an Educational Specialist degree in instructional technology. After teaching for 27 years, my passion for education inspired me to continue seeking ways to

make a difference. I believed my background as an educator would be beneficial in serving as a board member, and it was even more meaningful to do so in the district that nurtured my own learning experiences.

What are you most passionate about when it comes to serving Henry County students?

Equipping all students with the necessary tools to succeed has been my passion since I was elected a board member in 1997, and I am still as excited to pursue that objective in serving Henry County families today. Ensuring every student achieves their goals includes supporting their academic, athletic, and other extracurricular interests. All students should have a world-class experience in Henry County Schools and feel empowered to use the knowledge and opportunities gained to uplift their community.

Is there a role model, philosophy, or quote that guides or influences your approach to board governance?

I consider myself a servant leader, and it is my job to care about students' needs and how the district can bolster academic success. Learning is more than test scores and a high-quality education should also consider the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of each child. Embracing the philosophy of a servant leader also means going the extra mile to include the family and community in student learning.

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Jennifer Carter - Represents District 3 and began her official duties as a board member in January.

What inspired you to become a member of the Board of Education?

I chose to become a board member for several reasons. My three children attend Henry County Schools, and I wanted to ensure all Henry County families have access to the quality of education I expect my children to receive. As a lifelong Henry County resident and a graduate of Henry County Schools, we must continue to offer a high-quality,

world-class education and give ALL students a chance to succeed. Additionally, I find giving back to my community and making a difference to be quite rewarding, and I look forward to helping to advance the work of the Board of Education.

What are you most passionate about when it comes to serving Henry County students?

I am most passionate about student success and ensuring our school community, including teachers and school and district leaders, receive the support they need.

Is there a role model, philosophy, or quote that guides or influences your approach to board governance?

My two role models are my late father-in-law, Jimmy Carter, who served 18 years on the school board, and my sister-in-law, Holly Cobb, who served eight years. Their leadership, passion for HCS students, and vision for our schools inspired me and paved the way for me to continue serving families in our community.

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Makenzie McDaniel - Represents District 5 and has been a board member since 2021.

What is your vision for the future of education in Henry County Schools?

My vision for Henry County schools is to be “THE” premiere school district, which may require pursuing strategic and novel approaches to expose our scholars to and position them for careers and not just jobs. We must remain laser-focused on affording all scholars regardless of race, creed, or gender the opportunity to not only excel but exceed societal expectations.

Is there a role model, philosophy, or quote that guides or influences your approach to board governance?  

I admired Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr.'s continued advocacy even amid adversity and challenges and the ultimate sacrifice he paid for his ideals. My favorite of his quotes and a guiding principle in serving this community is, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”  However, if I were to name my favorite Dr. King quote centered on education, it would be, “Education must enable one to sift and weigh evidence, to discern the true from the false, the real from the unreal, and the facts from the fiction.”

Which club and/or activity impacted you the most when you were a student?

ROTC had the biggest impact. It taught me structure and discipline and was aligned with my ultimate goal of joining the US Army, which I pursued after high school. I served 12 years in the Army Reserve, achieving the rank of staff sergeant.

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The board meets monthly at HCS’ administrative offices located at 33 N. Zack Hinton Parkway, in McDonough. All board meetings are open to the public with additional options to watch live or on-demand sessions via the district’s website. Click here to view Board meeting dates, agendas, and minutes.

About Henry County Schools

Henry County Schools (HCS) is the eighth-largest school district in Georgia, consisting of 53 schools and located about 20 minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Over the past two decades, our community has grown in population from 113,000 residents to over 244,000 residents. Since 1999, student enrollment has grown from 21,000 to 43,000 students, and our number of employees has grown from 3,000 to 6,000.

HCS is “In Pursuit of Exceptional,” taking action to advance opportunities, access, and outcomes so that every student in our school district has Exceptional Support, Exceptional Access, and an Exceptional Future. In 2020, our Board of Education adopted our 2021-2026 Community-Inspired Strategic Plan and laid out a clear vision and mission for Henry County Schools. Our vision is to ensure a high-quality, world-class education for every student, and our mission is to empower all students with exceptional opportunities and access that lead to success in a global society.

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