When education-focused programs need expert opinions on trends and issues in education, they often look to Fayette’s educators to provide them with insight and advice.

Recently two long-time educators were guests on the Achieving Excellence in Education program produced by Georgia Public Television and aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting Channel 8.

Fayette County High School band director Kenny Beard was one of the guests on the November show about extracurricular activities. The show highlighted the variety of extracurricular activities available to students as well as the educational benefits gained from participation.

Beard, along with Monty Rhodes from Georgia’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), shared his personal experiences on his involvement with extracurricular activities through band. He credited these activities as helping to round out a full educational experience for students. He also noted that students who are involved in extracurricular activities are often successful in academics.

Program host Jane Robelot started the discussion by stating that 57 percent of all students never involved in extra curricular activities drop out of school before they reach their senior year of high school.

“Most students don’t come to school to for the educational aspect but for the social environment. A school with good extra curricular activities meets the needs of students.” Beard explained.

When asked how these activities tie into education benefits, Beard said, “Just like with sports with the no pass don’t play rule, the same applies to many extra curricular activities, students must be passing to be involved. This requires them to be good students.”

Beard also talked about his tenure at Fayette County High and how he has helped shape the lives of students through band. The segment originally aired on November 1, 2006.

Huddleston Principal Becky Maddox recently completed filming a segment on the show titled “Achieving Excellence Inside Georgia Schools.” In this segment guests will talk about a variety of timely topics concerning parents, students and educators in Georgia.

Maddox, representing the elementary school level, will be among three principals on the panel. The other guests are from Murray County (middle school) and Gwinnett County (high school). The segment will air on GPB Channel 8 January 20 at 5:30 p.m. and again on January 28 at 12:30 a.m.

Achieving Excellence in Education brings educational issues such as literacy, technology, arts education, higher education and student achievement in the state of Georgia to the forefront. The rotation of special guests includes knowledgeable authorities on educational issues from various nonprofit organizations, policy makers and educational leaders.

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