The election for Georgia’s top school chief is more than a year away, but the field is already getting crowded – especially on the Republican side. Dr. Randell E. Trammell, a longtime advocate for youth development and education, is running for State School Superintendent. Current Superintendent Richard Woods has said he plans to run again, and longtime educator Dr. Fred “Bubba” Longgrear and former State Representative Mesha Mainor have announced their candidacy.
According to Trammell’s website, he holds an undergraduate degree in Religious Education as well as a Master in Business Administration from Reinhardt University. In 2014, he completed his Doctorate in Education. That same year, “after seeing a dire need for resources and support in the area of civics education in Georgia,” Trammell developed the concept of the Georgia Center for Civic Engagement – which he launched in 2017. In 2021, the organization expanded its mission to become the United States Center for Civic Engagement, and Trammell developed the concept of building a Career Technical Student Organization (CTSO) to support the Public Service and Safety career cluster.
Trammell says on his campaign information that he is running for state superintendent “because I want excellence in our Georgia education system. I want the very best options for my children and I want the same for your children! I want nothing but the very best for Georgia’s students. Our children deserve excellence!”
Trammell lists some of his top priorities on his webpage:
● School Safety: “Ensuring the safety of every student, teacher, and staff member is our highest priority. We are committed to maintaining a secure learning environment free from both internal and external threats by providing a dedicated School Resource Officer (SRO) in every school, addressing disruptive behavior that interrupts teaching and learning, and fostering a culture of safety, respect, and accountability across all campuses.
● Transparency and Accountability: “We believe families, educators, and communities deserve full confidence in how schools operate. That means clear and accessible information on how funding and expenses are managed, open communication about curriculum and instructional practices, and honest reporting of school performance. By fostering transparency in every area, we strengthen trust, accountability, and shared responsibility for student success.
● Excellence in Education: “Every student deserves the opportunity to achieve their highest potential, recognizing that learning happens at different paces and through diverse instructional styles. We are committed to fostering academic excellence by providing individualized supports, innovative teaching approaches, and flexible educational pathways that ensure each student can succeed. By meeting students where they are and guiding them forward, we prepare every learner for lifelong achievement.”
He also lists literacy, career readiness and teacher pay among his top priorities.
His wife Catherine is an educator and has been in a classroom for the past 17 years. She currently works as a Special Education Lead for Bartow County Schools. They have three young children. Trammell has published six children’s books mostly aimed at building the next generation of civic leaders.
“I am deeply passionate about the power of education to transform lives and communities. My work in youth civic development is driven by a vision of a more informed, engaged, and empowered generation of young leaders who will shape the future of our society,” Trammell said.
