Dr. Georgina Nelson: An advocate for reading, reaching potential
MADISON – Dr. Georgina Nelson “believes in an educational system where excellence is expected and quality is the norm. Most importantly, I believe in students’ potential.”
As Principal of Heritage Elementary School, Nelson has “the incredible opportunity to touch lives of those who will one day rule our world … a high calling, indeed.” She pledges for Heritage to nurture “a professional learning community … a community of teacher leaders who learn and grow together (and) maximize student learning.”
Nelson has worked as Heritage principal for four years, after serving as assistant principal at Madison Elementary School. For 10 years, she worked for the Alabama State Department of Education as an Education Administrator for Alabama Reading Initiative.
Her teaching experience in Madison County and Madison City Schools included Title I teacher, classroom teacher for grades 5-9 and reading coach.
For Nelson, the Madison district has the following priorities:
* Funding for new facilities – “A huge concern … elementary schools are almost at capacity — some over-capacity. Today, Heritage is at 97-percent capacity; fall enrollment projections place us over-capacity. With no relief, the results will be larger class sizes,” she said.
* Larger class sizes – An issue in grades 4-6 classrooms. Current ratio in fourth grade at Heritage is 28:1 and fifth grade is 30:1.
* Limestone County tax dispute – “An issue heavy on the hearts of most Madison citizens. Tax dollars paid by parents are supposed to follow their children. We’re not receiving tax dollars for those students who reside in Limestone County/Madison City. Many Heritage students live in Limestone County; their parents have paid their taxes and desire to support their children here at Heritage,” Nelson said.
Nelson attributes her love of reading to her parents, who read to her each night, and third-grade teacher, Mrs. Taylor, who read aloud daily without fail. When Mrs. Taylor read “James and the Giant Peach,” Nelson visualized and almost ‘tasted’ the fruit.
“My prayer is that I did plant those same seeds of reading. Recently, I received a Facebook message from a former Discovery student, now a teacher. Our classroom was one reason she wanted to become a teacher. What a wonderful legacy teaching can be!” Nelson said.
Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Alabama. In elementary education, she received a master’s degree from Alabama A&M University and an education specialist and a doctorate’s degree from UA.
In addition, Nelson received add-on certifications as reading specialist from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and education administration from UA. “I have certification in elementary education K-6, Reading PK-13 and Administration PK-12,” she said.
She has served as President Emeritus of Alabama Reading Association and participates in numerous professional organizations. An adjunct professor at UAH, Nelson previously taught undergraduates at Athens State University and graduate students at UA.
In 2007, she married Patrick Nelson and moved to Madison. “My bonus boys, Nathan and Andrew Nelson, were attending Madison schools, and we wanted them to continue,” she said.
Nathan, 23, recently graduated from Auburn University. Andrew, 20, attended Marion Military Academy and is in Army Ranger training.
Georgina and Patrick’s twins, five-year-old Arabella and Kaitlyn, love attending Heritage with their mother. Patrick Nelson specializes in procurement contracting as a civilian attorney for the U.S. Army. The Nelsons are enjoying their new house.
In civic involvement, Georgina has served on the Mothers of Multiples board. At Holmes Street United Methodist Church in Huntsville, the Nelsons teach Sunday School and other courses; they lead and sing in choirs. She is a Praise Band vocalist.
Georgina played piano and clarinet as a child and reached a dream with acceptance in UA’s Million Dollar Band and Symphonic Band. She is a certified SCUBA diver and a Disney fanatic.
