THE 1970s AT PAGE
1975
APRIL: PAGE IS FOUNDED
The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) was founded by a small group of 27 dedicated educators who saw a need for a professional organization whose goal would be to make Georgia a better place for children to learn and teachers to teach. It would be non-partisan and free from national affiliation, political endorsements, and positions on non-education issues.
Paul Copeland from DeKalb County Schools was selected as the interim president to lead the organizing effort by representatives from across Georgia. Copeland spent the next six months organizing and recruiting officers and directors from throughout Georgia, obtaining financial resources by coordinating with the officers to secure, establishing an office, drafting the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and a Constitution for approval of the Board of Directors, preparing a legislative agenda, holding the first membership drive, publishing the first PAGE One magazine, and providing Educators Professional Liability as a benefit to members.
Hear about the beginnings of PAGE from founder Lillian Cantrell.
PAUL COPELAND
FOUNDER
Paul Copeland was a visionary educational leader who founded the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) in 1975. He was driven by a commitment to create a professional, independent educator organization that genuinely supported educators with a focus on positive outcomes for students. Reacting to national organization tactics that undermined Georgia public schools, he sought to establish an independent voice for teachers that focused on advocacy for teachers as professionals, professional development, and legal support. Copeland's grassroots efforts and strategic foresight were instrumental in shaping PAGE into a significant educational advocate in Georgia. Drawing from his upbringing on a rural farm, his "get it done" attitude helped navigate and persist through early challenges, laying a strong foundation for PAGE’s growth and influence. His legacy within PAGE is marked by his profound impact on education in Georgia, ensuring that educators had a supportive, influential association dedicated to their professional needs and the betterment of students.
1975
PAGE GETS ITS PAPERS
On May 16, 1975, PAGE was legally incorporated with the Georgia Secretary of State. PAGE came into existence due to the commitment and dedication to founding a new association from an initial organizational meeting of more than 70 Georgia teachers and administrators.
Those in attendance included the first Board of Directors: J. Paul Copeland (DeKalb) President; June Houston (Fulton) First VP; Charles E. Wolf, Jr. (Richmond) Second VP; Jesse Dixon (DeKalb) Treasurer; Larry C. Berry (Fulton) Recording Secretary; Mary Louise Owen (LaGrange City) (Retired) Corresponding Secretary; Otis J. Abernathy (Troup) Parliamentarian; Lilian Cantrell (DeKalb); Robert M. Gaines (DeKalb); Padgy Hamrick (DeKalb); Allene McCreary (DeKalb); Travis J. Outzs, Jr. (Eastman); Fred Rheney (Atlanta). Advisory Council members were Dr. James Hinson, DeKalb County Superintendent; Mr. J. Whaley, State School Board Representative; and Mrs. Anne Woodward, City of Atlanta School Board member.
ALLENE
McCREARY
FOUNDER
Allene McCreary, one of the original founders of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), epitomized dedication and integrity in her role as a founder. Starting her career as a high school English teacher, she transitioned into elementary education before helping to establish PAGE in the 1970s. Allene was instrumental in the organization's early growth, fostering its development through her leadership and organizational skills. Known for her professionalism and ability to engage with educators and administrators alike, she ensured PAGE focused on teachers' interests and upheld high ethical standards. Her commitment to representing all educators and advocacy laid the groundwork for PAGE's enduring impact on education in Georgia. Allene's legacy is a testament to her belief in the power of education and her unwavering support for the educators who serve Georgia’s children.
1975
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION
The organization’s founding principles included uninterrupted education for students, collaborative participation to resolve problems and promote improvement in public education, freedom of choice for educators to join educational associations, and public control of public schools.
The purpose of the organization was:
-
to support uninterrupted education of students at all times;
-
for Georgia citizens to control public school systems;
-
for professional educators to be free to choose their professional organization;
-
to promote confidence in education systems;
-
to support compensation for educators;
-
to protect rights of educators;
-
to foster respect for the profession of education;
-
to support research and development of education for classroom instruction;
-
to provide exchange of experience and opinions through discussion, studies and publications;
-
to support high standards of personal and professional conduct;
-
to increase member’s opportunities for professional development to increase individual capabilities;
-
to hold meeting and conferences for mutual improvement and education;
-
to provide data and information on functions and accomplishments of educators;
-
to recognize educational attainment and professional competency of educators;
-
to unite membership for said purpose of organization.
Active membership was opened to all active professional educators with a current professional certification from Georgia, retired professional educators who held current certification, and others actively employed or retired from leadership positions that didn’t require certifications. An association membership was established for those not eligible for active membership but who accepted and subscribed to the goals and purpose of PAGE.
1975
First edition of PAGE One is released. Dick Bird, history teacher at Shamrock High School, proposed the new PAGE newspaper be titled, PAGE One. English teacher Janice May and other members of the public committee adopted his proposal.
1975
The first state convention held by PAGE was in October, and there was a sellout crowd at the Friday evening banquet. Lillian Cantrell, principal of Henderson Mill Elementary in DeKalb County, was elected as the first President of PAGE. She served until 1977.
LILLIAN CANTRELL
PAGE PRESIDENT
1975-1976
LILLIAN
CANTRELL
FOUNDER
Lillian Cantrell’s dedication to the principles of professionalism, freedom of choice in association affiliation, and educational stability for students set the foundation for the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). As one of its founding members along with Paul Copeland, she was the first elected president in 1975. Lillian’s leadership made a significant impact on PAGE and education in Georgia. An educator for 47 years, Lillian was serving as principal of Henderson Mill Elementary in DeKalb County when she joined forces with other like-minded professionals to create PAGE. By 1979, Lillian and her colleagues had successfully built PAGE into a robust association with more than 1,000 members. Ready to pass the torch, she left PAGE with a strong foundation, and her legacy endures as a testament to her dedication. In recognition of her service, the road in front of Henderson Mill Elementary was named Lillian Cantrell Lane. Her contributions continue to inspire educators throughout Georgia, embodying PAGE’s core values of professionalism, choice, and commitment to student-centered education.
ALAN GRAVITT
PAGE PRESIDENT
1977-1978
Roger Hines, one of the first members of PAGE, and his wife serve as editors for the first PAGE One Magazine (newsprint edition). Though he has retired, Roger is still a PAGE member today.
1977
ALAN GRAVITT
FOUNDER
Alan Gravitt, PAGE President from 1977-1978, played a key role in the formative years of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). He joined after learning about the organization, founded as a Georgia-based alternative to a unified national association, to support educators with a focus on professionalism and advocacy. Early challenges included securing funds and building membership, with Gravitt and colleagues personally co-signing loans. Under his leadership, PAGE grew to over 1,000 members, distinguishing itself by offering liability insurance, legal assistance, and a commitment to advocacy without counterproductive activism. Gravitt and PAGE’s founders emphasized professionalism and well-informed advocacy, which helped PAGE gain credibility among state legislators. Gravitt also helped appoint PAGE’s first executive director. He credits PAGE’s success to the dedication of early members and views its continued growth and significance in the state as a testament to their shared vision of elevating the teaching profession.
ROGER
HINES
FOUNDER
Roger Hines, a committed member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) since 1975, participated in shaping the organization’s direction. Together with his PAGE colleagues, he championed a team-based, collaborative approach in education, aligning with PAGE's foundational values. Roger's early contributions included serving as one of the first editors of PAGE One and driving membership growth by advocating for PAGE's principles. Throughout his tenure, he celebrated the organization’s milestones and growth, cherishing the meaningful connections and influence PAGE cultivated among Georgia's educational leaders. His favorite moments include interacting with significant figures like State School Superintendent Charles McDaniel and showcasing the progress of PAGE at conferences. Roger hopes to be remembered as a joyful, dedicated member who helped maintain PAGE's integrity and focus on positively impacting education.
1979
Membership in PAGE had climbed to 1,000 by 1979. The organization was seeing growth in new parts of the state. The PAGE Board of Directors decided to take their meetings “on the road” to spread the awareness about the organization to more Georgia educators. The tactic drew significant media coverage.
CECIL JOHNSTON
PAGE PRESIDENT
1978-1979
1979
JACK ACREE IS FIRST PAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
On July 1, 1979, PAGE hired its first executive director, Jack Acree, a determined and tenacious veteran Georgia educator. Acree had served with the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) and was well-connected politically and was a master of networking.
ANNE CLINE
PAGE PRESIDENT
1979-1980