TIM CALLAHAN

Tim Callahan, right, with Dr. Allene Magill, left, and Tom Wommack

Tim Callahan’s tenure at the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) is marked by dramatic growth in the organization’s influence and growth. Arriving at PAGE in 1993 from Washington, D.C., where he had honed his public relations and education policy skills, Tim was charged with enhancing PAGE's media presence and membership outreach. His background with the National Association for State Boards of Education and a national non-profit institute equipped him well for these challenges. 

TIM CALLAHAN

Under Tim's direction, PAGE underwent transformative changes. He recognized immediately that PAGE had an incredible story to tell both in Georgia and nationally.  He established PAGE's public relations approach, establishing robust media connections that significantly raised PAGE's profile. His understanding of media dynamics transformed PAGE into a go-to organization for educational insights by proactively providing prompt and effective communications.

Challenged with increasing membership led Tim to recognize the inefficiency of the existing part-time membership recruitment system. He advocated for and successfully transitioned to a team of full-time Membership Service Representatives (MSRs). This shift was pivotal, significantly boosting PAGE’s visibility and membership. His approach was hands-on and results-driven, with each MSR expanding their assigned districts' membership substantially within two years.

During his service to PAGE, membership soared from 27,000 to 87,000, while the staff expanded to 45 members and the budget grew to over $12 million. Tim also saw the  expansion of PAGE’s legal services as vital to increasing membership. He understood that member educators needed robust legal support in light of the challenges they faced. He was instrumental in encouraging the legal staff to proactively provide ethics training onsite for school districts. 

Tim’s tenure also saw significant educational policy engagements, particularly during challenging political times under governors like Roy Barnes, who pushed aggressive educational reforms. Tim was instrumental in supporting the organization’s executive directors as they navigated through these turbulent periods, which helped maintain PAGE’s stance and mission, focusing on educators' and students' needs rather than political expediency.

Tim recognized that educators needed quality professional development offerings, a vision later realized through expanded programs under subsequent leaders like Allene Magill. Tim believed that educating educators about legal pitfalls and proactive advocacy was as crucial as representing them in crises, an ethos that permeated his approach to expanding PAGE's services.

Reflecting on his career as he moved towards retirement in 2015, Tim viewed his work with PAGE as a highlight, proud of turning PAGE into a powerful advocate for educators. His legacy at PAGE is that of a transformative figure who left the organization vastly more capable, influential, and responsive to the needs of Georgia's educators.