Jim Farmer is the Chief Technology Officer at Fayette County Public Schools, where he spearheads innovative strategies to integrate technology into education. With a deep-rooted passion for leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences, Jim is dedicated to ensuring that students and educators have access to cutting-edge tools and resources that empower them to succeed in the digital age.

Drawing upon his extensive experience in the field of education technology, Jim leads initiatives to implement state-of-the-art infrastructure, software solutions, and educational technologies across the school district. His forward-thinking approach focuses on leveraging technology not only to streamline administrative processes but also to transform teaching and learning practices in the classroom.

Prior to joining Fayette County Public Schools, Jim held various leadership positions in educational technology, where he demonstrated his ability to drive innovation and foster collaboration among stakeholders. He has a proven track record of implementing successful technology initiatives that improve student outcomes and prepare learners for the challenges of tomorrow's world.

As the Chief Technology Officer for Fayette County Public Schools, Jim Farmer continues to lead the charge towards a future where technology serves as a catalyst for educational excellence and equitable access to learning opportunities for all students.
 

Jonathan Judy currently serves as the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for Tift County Schools. Judy has over 10 years of experience in educational IT, and another 5 in telecommunications. Judy has his BS from Georgia Southern and his MBA from Western Governors University. He has a passion for modern learning and the impacts technology can make on the effectiveness of both teaching and learning.

Tim has lived a life of service – service to country, service to community, and service to family. This service has spanned the globe, crossed cultural divides, and highlighted the challenges facing people from all walks of life. This experience has been instrumental in shaping Tim’s ability to lead and solve problems, and to not accept the “status quo” as the business of the day.

Though he most recently made his mark with Forsyth County Schools as its Director of Technology Services, Tim’s journey in public education began 20 years prior as a teacher at Dalton High School. Shortly after, Tim would begin working with Whitfield County Schools. In Whitfield, Tim served in several leadership roles and established a record of academic and operational excellence.

Tim served as the CEO of the Whitfield County Career Academy, CTAE director, principal, and assistant principal. Under his leadership, the school was nationally recognized and featured by Edutopia for “Schools that Work”, featured by the Georgia Professional Association of Educators, won the State of Georgia Platinum, Gold, and Bronze awards for greatest gains. Capping off these achievements, the Bill Gates Foundation expressed interest in supporting the school’s outstanding performance.

Following his success in Whitfield County, Tim shifted focus to district leadership where he became the Chief Technology and Information Officer, Safety Director, and Communications Director for Rome City Schools. While at Rome, he led the state by creating the first Technology Vision, Mission and Beliefs statement, the first Technology Handbook, and established standards for networking. Tim’s leadership was instrumental in Rome receiving two Classroom Connection Grants, successfully migrating critical financial systems, and creating a digital inventory system for technology. Before departing Rome City Schools, Tim solidified the district as a benchmark for technology in K-12.

Not content to rest on his achievements, Tim accepted the challenge of taking the reins of a well-regarded organization in need of modernizing. Leading the technology department of one of Georgia’s largest and fastest-growing K-12 districts, Tim transformed Forsyth County Schools’ Technology Services group from its centrally managed design to a much nimbler team-led enterprise, resulting in the district’s recognition as one of the nation’s best by the Center for Digital Education.

Understanding the role that technology can play in student success, Tim led the development of a “District Graduation Dashboard” that predicted the graduation outcome for students as early as 8th grade. This dashboard, now used by nearly 20 districts across the country, was nominated for - and won bronze in - IMS Global Learning’s Impact Awards. Tim also coauthored a book focused on K-12 cybersecurity and has been a special guest speaker for national and international conferences. Forsyth County Technology has been recognized as the Digital School District Survey 2017-2018 winner by the Center for Digital Education.

Tim is a retired certified peace officer in Georgia and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Tim earned two Outstanding Performance Awards from Dalton Police Department and four Presidential Awards from the United States Marine Corps. Tim holds his Ed.S. degree from Lincoln Memorial University in Curriculum and Instruction, Master’s Degree in Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University, and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Covenant College.

Data highlights:
• from the lowest school in state testing in the district to the highest
• 98% in math Meeting/Exceeding
• 97.6% 11th grade writing scores Meeting/Exceeding
• 96% attendance rate
• 40% decrease in discipline referrals
• 96% attendance rate
• 100% accepted into 4-year university, technology college, or military

Derek Fort is an experienced leader in educational technology, boasting over 25 years of expertise in the field. Currently, he holds the position of Chief Technology Officer at Rockdale County Public Schools, where he has dedicated his efforts to enhancing digital learning and instructional technology.