PAUL COPELAND

PAGE founder Paul Copeland, right, accepts an award for his service to the organization.

Paul Copeland founded the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) in 1975. He and several key leaders were crucial to its establishment and growth. Beginning his educational career in DeKalb County, Georgia, Paul was deeply involved with local educator organizations. However, he grew concerned with the increasing influence of the predominant national organization and its push towards mandatory dues for local and state chapters, as well as a focus on unionization. Paul felt those positions contradicted the needs and values of many local educators.

PAUL COPELAND

In response, Paul spearheaded the creation of PAGE, aiming to offer an independent, Georgia-focused professional alternative that prioritized the work of educators on behalf of students. This move came after significant efforts to maintain autonomy within the local educator organization in DeKalb, which was affiliated with a national association, were rejected. By collaborating with fellow educators and drawing inspiration from successful independent educational organizations in other states, Paul set the groundwork for what PAGE would become.

Paul's leadership and vision were fundamental during the early and often precarious years of PAGE. His background, growing up on a farm in rural Alabama, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a "get it done" attitude—traits that proved invaluable as he navigated the challenges of establishing a new organization. He was instrumental in forming the interim board, which included dedicated educators like Lillian Cantrell, Allene McCreary, Dave Nichols, and Jesse Dixon, and securing the early operational structure of PAGE.

Under his guidance, PAGE quickly positioned itself as a significant voice for educators in Georgia, advocating for teacher rights without resorting to strikes or other tactics common in more traditional national educator associations. This approach not only helped attract members but also established PAGE as a leader in education advocacy, particularly through its legal support services and ongoing professional development initiatives.

Paul Copeland’s legacy as PAGE’s founder is marked by his commitment to creating an organization that truly served Georgia educators, and, by extension, their students. His efforts laid the foundation for PAGE's ongoing work to influence educational policy, support educators with professional resources, and uphold a philosophy that emphasizes collaboration and a focus on students. His son, Bud Copeland, reflects on Paul’s impact with pride, noting his father’s dedication to education and his strategic yet heartfelt approach to building PAGE during a transformative time in educational history.