When the Georgia legislature convenes in January, Kathy Cox, state representative for the 105th district, will get to practice what has until now been largely theoretical for Kathy Cox, Sandy Creek High School government and world history teacher.

An admirer of Thomas Jefferson who entered politics at the age of 33, Cox missed doing the same by one day: she turned 34 the day before the election.

She says she is now in the process of learning the ropes, meeting the people she'll be working with at the capital, and devising a system of organization for the flood of communication already coming her way.

"I am in the process of formulating the best way to do that," she said in an evening telephone interview at her home last week. "I'm putting together a citizen advisory board drawn from my Fayette County constituency: people with an interest in state government because of their business or whatever. It will consist of about 30 people who have expertise in their particular area the people I'm asking are active in the community.

"This way, if they have a concern about legislation, they can get to me easily. I hope that this will help me represent folks in District 105. I am relying on folks who know what's going on, to help me and to guide my decision-making."

She stressed that she will be available to anyone with concerns or questions, but that this board will be "a little bit of a formal thing where people can contact me."

Cox said she had talked to a number of people over the last couple of months, and had not finished calling "everyone I'd like to participate. I would like to include some people from the Chamber of Commerce."

And if people call her to offer their services: "I'd be glad to talk to anybody interested in helping me this way," adding that she wants her advisory board to be bipartisan.

Having won her seat by ousting incumbent Dan Lakly in the primary runoff in August, the Peachtree City Republican did not have to work at campaigning for last week's general election, but is already positioning herself to serve in what she sees as the role most beneficial to Fayette County.

"I have requested to be on the Education Committee," she said. "My second request was for Industry I think that would benefit this district as well. [In getting either appointment], a lot depends on who gets the majority. With the Democrats back in control well, we'll see. But those are the two areas I thought we could do the most good."

Otherwise, Cox said she is "using this time for rest and really working on a system of communication and organization. I can tell by the load of paperwork and mail that I'll have to be organized."

The schoolteacher said she will have a substitute for her 10th grade world history and 12th grade government classes three in all while serving in the House. But her heart will still be in the classroom.

"When I get to the capitol, I will beam live back to Sandy Creek," she said, keeping her students electronically informed about local government in a more immediate way than she ever could at the blackboard.