Governor Brian Kemp welcomes you to Georgia Pre-K Week 2020

U.S. Senator David Perdue
Listen to this special message from the senior United States Senator from Georgia!

U.S. Representative Barry Loudermilk
Listen to this special message from the United States Representative from Georgia!

“A Day in the Life of Georgia’s Pre-K”
Though not a read-aloud, this video, with DECAL Commissioner Amy Jacobs, highlights Georgia’s Pre-K program and the importance of early learning for children.

Rafael Furcal, Atlanta Braves
A special Spanish-language reading of the popular children’s book “Corduroy” in celebration of Georgia Pre-K Week and National Hispanic Heritage Month. Read along with the former professional Atlanta Braves baseball player!

Foye Oluokun, Atlanta Falcons
Join the Atlanta Falcons linebacker, Foyesade Oluokun, as he reads “Behind the Little Red Door”!

Brooks Lennon, Atlanta United
Let’s read along with the Atlanta United soccer player, Brooks Lennon!

Monica Kaufman Pearson
Read along with the 37-year anchor for Channel 2 WSBTV, and the 1st woman / 1st minority anchor for daily evening news in Atlanta as she reads “Can You Touch a Color?”

Karyn Greer
The CBS46 WGCL-Atlanta TV morning anchor and investigative journalist reads “Can You Touch a Color?” aloud. Let’s listen to the story, or grab your book and read along with her!

Director Tom Rawlings
A special message from the Director of the State Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Let’s watch as he recognizes Georgia Pre-K Week, teachers, students, and more!

Commissioner Robyn Crittenden
Read along with the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Robyn Crittenden!

Commissioner Judy Fitzgerald
Listen to this special message from the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)!

Commissioner Michael Nail
The Georgia Department of Community Supervision Commissioner sends a special message of appreciation and recognition to Georgia’s Pre-K teachers and students!

Commissioner Amy Jacobs + Coy Bowles
Amy Jacobs, Commissioner of the GA Department of Early Care and Learning: Bright from the Start, and author Coy Bowles, come together to read “Can You Touch a Color?”

Teacher of the Year (Private Pre-K)
Alderine Healey
Alderine Healey teaches at YMCA Paulding Early Learning Center in Hiram, GA. Congratulations!

Teacher of the Year (Public Pre-K)
Heather Melillo
Heather Melillo teaches at West End Elementary School Pre-K in Rome, GA. Congratulations!

Coy Bowles
It’s the author himself! Not only is Bowles the author of “Behind the Little Red Door” and “Can You Touch a Color?”, but did you know that he’s also part of the award-winning Zac Brown Band?

“Meet the Author!”
Listen and watch as Coy Bowles answers questions about what inspired him to write children’s books, his favorite character in the book, and other fun questions! Let’s get to know him!

Representative Sharon Cooper
District 43 – Cobb County

Representative Valencia Stovall
District 74 – Clayton County

Representative Randy Nix
District 69 – Carroll, Heard, and Troup Counties

Representative Rhonda Burnough
District 77 – Clayton County

Representative Kim Schofield
District 60 – Fulton and Clayton Counties

Representative Matthew Gambill
District 15 – Bartow County

Representative Mary Robichaux
District 48 – Fulton County

Senator Elena Parent
District 42 – DeKalb County

Representative Sandra Scott
District 76 – Clayton and Henry Counties

Senator Jen Jordan
District 6 – Fulton and Cobb Counties

Representative Deborah Silcox
District 52 – Fulton County

Representative Sheila C. Nelson
District 125 – Richmond County

Senator Butch Miller
District 49 – Hall County

Senator Kay Kirkpatrick
District 32 – Cobb and Fulton Counties

Representative Carolyn Hugley
District 136 – Muscogee County

Representative Derrick Jackson
District 64 – Fayette and Fulton Counties

Senator Chuck Payne
District 54 – Gordon, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield Counties

Representative Trey Kelley
District 16 – Polk, Bartow, and Haralson Counties

Representative Shaw Blackmon
District 146 – Houston County

Representative Mary Frances Williams
District 37 – Cobb County

Representative Bill Werkheiser
District 157 – Evans, Tattnall, and Wayne Counties

Representative Lynn Smith
District 70 – Carroll and Coweta Counties

Representative Becky Evans
District 83 – DeKalb County

Representative Jasmine Clark
District 108 – Gwinnett County

Representative Bill Yearta
District 152 – Lee, Sumter, and Worth Counties

Representative William Boddie
District 62 – Douglas and Fulton Counties

Representative Dewey McClain
District 100 – Gwinnett County

Representative Rick Jasperse
District 11 – Gordon, Murray, and Pickens Counties

Representative CaMia Hopson
District 153 – Dougherty and Lee Counties

Senator Nikema Williams
District 39 – Fulton County

“DECAL Download” Podcast
Episode 7 – Georgia’s Pre-K Week 2020

From the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning:
It’s Pre-K Week in Georgia! For the past 28 years, Georgia’s nationally recognized Pre-K Program has provided quality early education to the state’s youngest learners.  Launched in 1992 as a pilot program serving 750 four-year-olds, the lottery-funded Georgia’s Pre-K Program has laid a solid foundation for academic excellence and future success in the lives of approximately 1.6 million children.  This is our tenth year partnering with Voices for Georgia’s Children. Joining us to talk about Georgia Pre-K Week is Dr. Erica Fener-Sitkoff, Executive Director at Voices for Georgia’s Children; Susan Adams, Deputy Commissioner for Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports; Nicole Cook, one of our outstanding Pre-K Specialists; and Coy Bowles, lead guitarist from the Zac Brown Band and author of “Behind the Little Red Door” and his latest, “Behind the Little Red Door: Can You Touch a Color?”