Clarke County Schools Superintendent Dr. Robbie Hooker was awarded the 2024 Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA) President’s Award for the Northeast Georgia RESA region at the GSSA spring Bootstrap Conference in Savannah on April 10.
The honor is awarded to superintendents for outstanding leadership in their school system and community. Northeast Georgia RESA is one of 16 regional education service agencies in the state and serves 13 school systems in 10 counties.
Hooker is in his second year as the county's superintendent and fifth as a superintendent in the NEGA RESA service area, and he currently serves as the vice president of the agency’s Board of Control.
He was nominated for the President’s Award by NEGA RESA Executive Director Laurie Allison, who described him as an actively engaged leader who has implemented strategies in Clarke County that have raised academic performance, enriched the lives of students, and built strong community partnerships.
Under Hooker’s leadership the school district implemented a new comprehensive literacy approach that has resulted in numerous gains in reading scores. District middle and high schools outpaced other Georgia schools by more than 20 points in the category of “Closing the Gap” in its 2023 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores. Additionally, a strong focus on problem solving and effective mathematical practices resulted in “Closing the Gap” point increases in math of 24 points for elementary schools, 29 points for middle schools, and 27 points for high schools.
“Dr. Hooker provides the necessary direction for rigorous instruction, high quality resources, and teacher support to lead Clarke County schools on the path forward to notable achievement,” said Dr. Jennifer Scott, Clarke County School District’s deputy Superintendent of academics and student support.
Hooker has also maintained a heavy emphasis on the importance of student engagement and its impact on overall student progress. Under his leadership, the district has continued several successful partnerships and launched the Youth Development Initiative in partnership with the University of Georgia and the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County - offering youth sports with a tutoring component for students.
“Dr. Hooker’s relentless support of students results in more engaged learners, higher performance, less behavioral concerns, and increased attendance,” wrote Allison. “As the superintendent, he personally builds relationships with students and models effective practices that lead students to thrive.”
Hooker has also strengthened communication and collaboration between the district and community – holding public listening sessions as the district was crafting a new five-year strategic plan and hosting other town hall meetings and community conversations around relevant topics. CCSD has expanded strong partnerships with higher education institutions and created new pathways for students at the Athens Community Career Academy with a focus on workforce development.
“Dr. Hooker is a passionate educator with connections that strengthen our entire region and state,” said Ms. Allison. “He is innovative, collaborative, and creates a culture that propels all team members to focus on excellence.”