State School Superintendent Richard Woods has named Christy Todd – the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year who went on to lead teacher recruitment and retention projects at the Georgia Department of Education – as the Department’s next Chief of Staff.

Todd, who spent 15 years teaching in Fayette County Public Schools after beginning her career in nonprofit consulting and business development, was the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year and a finalist for National Teacher of the Year. She joined GaDOE in August 2024to launch and lead Teach in the Peach, the agency’s comprehensive, nationally recognized teacher recruitment initiative.

As Chief of Staff, Todd will work closely with agency leadership to advance Superintendent Woods’ vision of preparing all students for life. She stepped into the role on June 1.

“As State School Superintendent, I have focused on transforming the Georgia Department of Education from a compliance-oriented agency to one centered on service and support for school districts,” Superintendent Woods said. “That vision will continue and, as I seek a fourth term, I am committed to expanding the resources and supports we provide directly to teachers. Christy’s experience in the classroom, her deep connections with educators across Georgia and the nation, and her leadership in advancing teacher recruitment and retention make her the ideal person to carry this work forward.”

As Georgia Teacher of the Year, Todd advocated for policies that would make Georgia the #1 state in the nation for teachers to teach. In her role at GaDOE, she has led cross-departmental projects designed to grow the teacher pipeline – including building a statewide teacher recruitment platform and launching signature events like the first statewide Educator Signing Day.

“I firmly believe that the most important job I’ll ever have is being a classroom teacher,” Todd said. “Teachers change the future when we help students see their potential. That same belief drives my ‘why’ for stepping into the role of Chief of Staff: to ensure that educators across Georgia have a voice in the spaces where decisions are made – so they can receive the support they need to keep doing the work they love. I’m grateful to Superintendent Woods for his continued commitment to prioritizing teacher voices in the Georgia Department of Education’s work.”

Todd replaces Matt Jones, who served as GaDOE’s Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2025. Jones led the agency’s operations through numerous cornerstone events, including the development of Georgia’s state plans for the Every Student Succeeds Act; the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic; the coordination of whole child supports to overcome nonacademic barriers to learning; the strengthening of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education opportunities; and a renewed emphasis on supporting rural schools.

“I am deeply grateful for Matt Jones’ work as Chief of Staff of the Department of Education over the last decade,” Superintendent Woods said. “We worked hand-in-hand to build a more responsive, service-oriented agency that was grounded in the needs of the classroom and Georgia’s 1.7 million students. Matt will continue to be a valued thought partner for me and for the agency, and I wish him the very best as he moves forward in his career – one I know will always be shaped by his deep commitment to Georgia’s public schools and students.”

Like Todd – and Superintendent Woods – Jones’ work was informed by his background as a classroom teacher. Before serving as an education advocate and district technology director, he taught high school English Language Arts, social studies, computer science, and engineering technology and was recognized as District Teacher of the Year for his innovative and creative teaching style.

“It’s been a true honor to serve in the role of Chief of Staff on behalf of Georgia’s students, parents, and educators,” Jones said. “My appreciation to Superintendent Woods for ensuring a teacher’s voice continues to be in this role with his selection of Christy Todd as Chief of Staff. Christy has my full confidence and support. I look forward to working with her and Superintendent Woods to advance a classroom-focused, child-centered agenda.”