GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has been selected as the Hall County School District’s 2025–26 RESA Pioneer in Education, an award recognizing individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to public education across the state.
Deal, the son of two longtime educators and the husband of a former teacher, has deep ties to the Hall County community. His children attended and graduated from Hall County schools, and even during his years in Congress he frequently returned home to visit classrooms and speak with students.
“Governor Deal’s commitment to educational excellence and workforce development has transformed opportunities for Georgia’s students,” Superintendent Will Schofield said. “He has always understood that education is the foundation of strong communities and thriving families. His vision continues to guide our work here in Hall County and throughout the state.”
As governor, Deal oversaw more than $1 billion in new state funding for K-12 education. His administration boosted teacher pay, expanded instructional innovation through the Innovation Fund, and helped modernize school technology and infrastructure through programs such as the Connections for Classrooms Grant.
In 2019, Deal’s office announced the full restoration of austerity cuts to the Quality Basic Education formula—cuts that had existed since 2003.
Deal also championed higher education initiatives. The University System of Georgia honored him with the Eldridge McMillan Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing support of colleges and universities and his efforts to expand opportunity for Georgia students.
Deal received the Pioneer in Education award Friday morning during the RESA ceremony, which highlighted regional leaders from across Northeast Georgia.
The Hall County School District thanked Deal for what officials called decades of public service and “an unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives.”
