Dr. Judith Gilliam Named Chief Academic Officer

Dr. Judith Gilliam Named Chief Academic Officer

Dr. Judith C. Gilliam has been appointed Chief Academic Officer of the Cobb County School District, effective immediately. The District's Chief Academic Officer is charged with oversight of curriculum, instruction and Special Education and reports directly to Superintendent Fred Sanderson. Dr. Gilliam brings a wealth of education and administrative experience to the position, having served the District as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction since 2005 and as Area 3 Assistant Superintendent from 2002 -2005.

"I have tremendous respect for Dr. Gilliam. She clearly understands what our students and teachers need for academic success," said Superintendent Sanderson. "I look forward to working with her as she and the Academics Division continue to implement performance-based instruction in our District. I expect she will excel in this position."

Dr. Gilliam is a three-time graduate of Auburn University in Alabama, earning a Bachelors degree, a Masters in Education, and, finally, a Doctor of Education in 1978. Her career began as a classroom teacher in LaGrange City Schools in LaGrange, GA. After completion of her doctorate, Dr. Gilliam taught future educators for seven years as assistant professor at LaGrange College. She moved on to provide support and staff development for teachers in 16 Georgia counties as consultant for the Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) in Columbus.

In 1990, Dr. Gilliam took on the role of principal for Department of Defense schools at Ft. Benning and subsequently served as principal for Harris County Schools in west Georgia from 1997-1999. She joined Glynn County Schools in 1999 as assistant superintendent for pupil personnel, supervising Special Education, school health, counseling, discipline and rezoning. Before coming to Cobb, Dr. Gilliam was assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Gainesville City Schools in Gainesville, GA.

Dr. Gilliam joined the Cobb County School District in 2002 as Area 3 assistant superintendent for schools in east Cobb. Two years later, she was appointed assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, where she has supervised all academic curriculum areas, the District's classroom technology integration and various instructional programs including ESOL, Title I and alternative education.

"As CAO, I will focus on developing very clear academic goals based on student achievement for every child, in every classroom, at every school in the Cobb County School District," said Dr. Gilliam. "I will lead my division in establishing concrete indicators of our progress toward those goals. Strategies and district initiatives will be evaluated to determine if they are getting significant results in increasing student achievement. Academic success of all our students is our core business," said Dr. Gilliam.

Released 5/29/2007