Dear Editor:
Before I formally introduce myself, I would like to give acknowledgement to Theresa Watson who passed away on Aug. 13, 2026. She was the president of the Savannah Federation of Teachers/PRSP(SFT/PSRP). The community at large has lost a loud voice and advocate for our children. Labor has also lost an advocate and warrior. She will be missed. Throughout her tenure I was her vice president. As we move forward, I, Rodney Lovett, will lead the organization.
The mission is clear and will not change, which is to work parallel with the school district to enhance the professionalism of our members and provide the highest level of education for our children. This is important. Simply put, education matters.
Our goal is for this school district
to perform at a high level and be recognized nationally for academic achievement. I have been a union member for about 30 years and have held a position on the executive board for about 20 years. I have also been vice president for about 15 years total under two presidents. The SFT/PSRP is vested in the success of this school district. For this reason is why I am asking the community at large to activate.
We need the mayor, city council members, the Savannah Police Department, the Chatham County Sheriff's Department, the county commissioners, the pastors' associations, the chamber of commerce and all other organizations and auxiliaries in the city to come join forces with us to educate our children at the highest level.
I am also asking teachers and staff who do not belong to an organization to come join us in our efforts to make the school district better. Our organization understands that the environment in which a child lives profoundly affects his or her ability to learn. This is especially the case for the disadvantaged students that enter into the public school system. Because of this fact wrap-around services are vital to their success. We must advocate for these services.
Again, and I cannot stress this enough, the community at large must come forth and demand for the highest level of performance for our children. If our children are failing then we too are failing. Do not accept a failing school in your community. Get involved and together we can find the solution to fix the problem. Know the district in which you live. Know your school board representative and get their contact information. Find out when a town hall meeting is being held in your district and attend. I will be there with you. School board members want to hear input from constituents that they represent.
The Chatham County School Board is extraordinary and is not afraid to make changes on matters that have been precedent and status quo for years throughout the state. The school board does not have the ability to interfere with the daily function of the school system, but instead is granted with the power to set policy. Another power that the school board has is the power of the purse which is governed by their vote. Because we do not agree with some of the decisions that the school board makes does not mean that we are enemies. But what should happen is the creation of greater dialog for understanding.
What lies before us is the opportunity to be great but we as a community must come together to achieve excellence. As President of the SFT/PSRP, we do not come with a clinched fist to fight but with arms opened wide with the invitation to be partners with the school district. The invitation also comes with the abundance of resources that the AFT and the SFT/ PSRP can provide to enhance the professionalism of our members and staff. The AFT has the ability to tailor training and programs that meet the needs of the district. Our professional development is an outstanding tool that has been used throughout the country and has produced great results. Nothing that we do is to diminish or replace any training that the district has in place. Instead we want to be a part of improving the effectiveness of the teachers and staff.
We all know the impact of a vibrant classroom teacher. No matter what profession that exists, a teacher of some sort had a hand in the development of the person. For myself, it was Mrs. Marie Grant, my sixth grade elementary teacher. In describing my character before the class she said that I was always dependable. She probably had no idea the impact that statement had on a little boy in the sixth grade. Ever since that time, even now, I try to always be dependable.
Just as we care about the well-being of our students we must also take care of the well-being of our teachers. Teachers are the blood of the educational process. Therefore, support, additional training, good pay and a platform to have input that could make things better is a must. The grooming and constant help for young teachers are also important.
The SFT/PSRP is present to advocate and assist in all areas. And even though teachers play an important and vital role in the education system, all staff is important and I do mean all staff. The first encounter a student may have of the day is with the crossing guard that is assuring safety as they cross the street. Likewise, the bus drivers and bus monitors also have the same mind set of delivering the children to their destination safely. Upon the arrival of the student's destination, rather by bus, or car, or walking, there is a paraprofessional or other staff welcoming each child to start the day making sure everything was sufficient in their travels to school. Then off to the cafeteria where the manager and staff are waiting to serve our children.
All of this has occurred and the student has yet to enter into the classroom for instructions. From maintenance, to the custodial staff, nurses, media specialists and every person in between, we are all important in the process of educating our children. Each of these departments are important and so are the people who are employed in these positions.
As President of this organization I will advocate and give recognition to all because what you do is special. I implore each citizen of this city in a personal matter to come join us in our quest to be the best school system in the state of Georgia and beyond. It is my hope to meet you and shake your hand in solidarity. The Savannah Federation of Teachers is here to assist in any area necessary because this journey that we are about to take is not about us but about our children.
Sincerely
Rodney Lovett,
President of the SFT/PSRP Local 2069
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: New Savannah teachers union leader seeks community help | Opinion
