MOULTRIE, GEORGIA – September 11, 2025Colquitt County High School Environmental Science and Forensic Science Teacher Ashley Legaspi was one of 21 teachers across the state to complete the 2024-2025 Teacher Policy Fellowship through the Georgia Department of Education.
The Fellowship is a nine-month professional learning program immersing classroom teachers in the world of public education and policymaking. The teachers participate in virtual and in-person meetings, allowing them to continue classroom responsibilities while engaging in meaningful professional development. Each participant gains knowledge around policy design and implementation at the state level.
The program includes two visits to the Georgia Department of Education and a three-day visit to Washington, D.C., where they met state and national educational leaders. According to the state press release, “the experience aimed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the Capitol, giving teachers a direct voice in shaping the policies that affect their students and schools.”
The state press release also notated highpoints of the Washington visit, sharing “the trip included meetings with the offices of U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia; a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol led by Veena Black, an Albert Einstein Fellow, Georgia Teacher of the Year Finalist, and GaDOE Teacher Policy Fellowship alumna; a session with the 2024 National Teacher of the Year, Missy Testerman; and an in-depth conversation with officials at the U.S. Department of Education. Fellows met with the education policy aides for the top-ranking members of the Congressional Education Committees to learn more about their priorities. They also scheduled meetings with their representatives and met with their staff to discuss the issues facing education in their communities.”
Mrs. Legaspi shared, “This experience was truly invaluable. Through the Fellowship, I collaborated with educators from across Georgia to develop and present policy proposals that reflect the realities of our classrooms. Our time in Washington, D.C. was especially impactful, as we worked directly with federal policymakers and legislative staff to better understand how education policy is shaped at the national level. These experiences broadened my perspective and strengthened my resolve to advocate for equitable, research-informed policies that support English Language Learners and ensure success for all Georgia students.”
Teachers are selected for the Fellowship program through a competitive application process that includes evaluating their leadership roles in the school, their resume, and a recommendation from their principal.
2024-2025 Teacher Policy Fellowship Participants (alphabetically by last name)
- Kevin Baker, Atlanta Public Schools
- Shannon Borum, Butts County School System
- William Cooper, Houston County School District
- Julea Eppinger, Fulton County Schools
- Kandi Fisher, Rabun County Schools
- Joanna Haggerty, Long County School System
- Dalecia Hamilton, Troup County School System
- Christopher Johnson, Georgia Cyber Academy
- Ashley Legaspi, Colquitt County School District
- Amy Levengood, Gwinnett County Public Schools
- Charlie McAdoo, II, City Schools of Decatur
- Crystal McDowell, Columbia County School District
- Jennifer Mellina, Oconee County Schools
- Lily Motolenich, Cobb County School District
- Tyler Sapp, Bleckley County Schools
- Kelsey Stephens, Evans County Charter School System
- Daisha Taylor, Clayton County Public Schools
- Candace Torrence, Marietta City Schools
- Raymon Watson, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
- Andrea Webb, Barrow County School System
- Ashleigh Wright, Bulloch County Schools
Apply for the 2025-2026 Teacher Policy Fellowship
Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Teacher Policy Fellowship cohort. Teachers can apply today to embark on this journey to expand their knowledge, elevate their voices, and contribute to developing policies that enhance education for all Georgia students. The application deadline is September 19, 2025.
https://gadoe.org/get-involved/teacher-policy-fellowship/
Attached Images: Ashley Legaspi Headshot