ALAN GRAVITT
- info126640
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Updated: May 10
Alan Gravitt played a foundational role in developing the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE), serving as its third president during its formative years. His involvement began on the day he attended a meeting to vote against the dues of the predominant educator association. In the parking lot before going into vote, Coach Scrap Wheeler from Fulton County handed him a flyer and told him about a new Georgia-focused educator association being formed. Alan quickly joined these like-minded educators, often meeting in the living room of founder Paul Copeland. Soon, PAGE was the adopted name chosen to reflect their belief and commitment to teaching as a professional and honorable calling.
The fledgling organization faced numerous challenges, from securing funds to building membership. Alan and his peers personally co-signed loans to raise the funds needed to ensure PAGE had the initial resources to be successful. They worked tirelessly to advocate for teachers and students. Early efforts included gaining visibility at the state Capitol, offering liability insurance, and providing legal assistance—services vital for an association to offer meaningful benefits to members.
As president, Alan oversaw PAGE’s growth to over 1,000 members, a significant milestone for the young organization. He emphasized the importance of professionalism, collaboration, and advocacy without counterproductive activism, distinguishing PAGE from other organizations. This approach resonated with state legislators and leaders, many of whom began to recognize PAGE as a credible advocate for educators.
The PAGE leadership team worked diligently to create an inclusive, welcoming professional association focused on supporting all educators, especially classroom and school-based faculty and staff.
Alan credits PAGE’s success to the tireless efforts of its early members, including educators like Lillian Cantrell (President 1975-1976) and Barbara Christmas Golden (President 1984-1985, Executive Director, 1994-2003), who provided guidance and inspiration. He emphasized the importance of being well-informed and professional in all interactions, a standard he carried into his advocacy work at the Capitol.
PAGE represented not just an organization but a movement to elevate the teaching profession. He expressed immense pride in PAGE’s growth and evolution, which far exceeded his expectations. To this day, Alan views his involvement in PAGE’s early years as one of the most meaningful accomplishments of his life.