Our Story

For too many years, Georgia educators seeking representation had only two choices: an extremely expensive union, or a less aggressive organization with limited services. Educators First was created to provide K-12 employees with a better choice.

Educators First was founded in 2011 by two innovative and forward-looking educators who began their careers as teachers, and then served in leadership roles in administration, human resources, and as a union director. While working in administration, they realized that even with coverage from other organizations, too many educators were still losing their jobs and had no one to advise them when the unexpected happens.

Educators First was created by educators for educators. We understand the “system” and how things work inside of an HR department. Our Team has over 150 years of experience to provide the best in personalized service.

Even the Best Teachers Have Bad Days

Educators First is designed to provide superior job-related protection for all K-12 employees, an organization which assertively represents your needs and provides you with peace of mind. Supported by our team of dedicated professionals, you receive personalized attention, not a one-size fits all approach.

Our members have all the advantages of a full-service organization (legal coverage, liability insurance, and political lobbying), plus something no other organization offers – an additional level of service (a Team of Advocates with expertise in Human Resource issues, Special Education, TKES, FMLA, PSC issues, and more) at a much lower cost (50-75% less).

With Educators First, you receive the cell phone number of our Advocacy Team who is there to take your call, give advice on personnel matters, and attend meetings with you.

We invite you to join today, to receive the best job protection and peace of mind available in Georgia.

LEADERSHIP

TANA PAGE

President and Chairman of the Board

tana@educatorsfirst.org

(678) 881-0844

Tana Page has an extensive education policy and political pedigree that uniquely positions her to understand the dilemma’s facing today’s teachers as she leads Educators First as President and Chairman of the Board.

Ms. Page started began her career as a special education teacher. At the same time, Ms. Page held the position of co-chair for Speaker Newt Gingrich’s Education Advisory Council, gaining a deep understanding of education politics.

These leadership positions brought Ms. Page to the attention of the Georgia Department of Education who asked her to serve in the Leadership Academy, training administrators, while directly supervising the Teacher Academy. In that capacity, Ms. Page led the mentor teacher program and traveled Georgia extensively to build a statewide network of best practice sharing among teachers. She was instrumental in attempting to establish a teacher professional development center on Ossabaw Island, Georgia.

Ms. Page ran for the Georgia House of Representatives in 2000 on a platform of educational excellence and building respect for the teaching profession. She narrowly lost the election but pulls from those experiences every day in the current Educators First leadership role, where Educators First has been successful in passing legislation to assist the public education community, notably the classroom teacher. Ms. Page has previously served as a lobbyist to the Georgia General Assembly.

Ms. Page has won numerous awards and honors including: Kennesaw State University Bagwell College of Education advisory board, the Cobb Chamber Executive Roundtable, the Cobb Coalition for a Voting America, Vice President of the East Cobb Business Association, Nominee-Disney Teacher of the Year, Cobb Women of Achievement, Phi Delta Kappa, Invitee First Lady’s Women of Achievement Luncheon (D.C.), and U.S. Dept of Education Taskforce on Teaching and Learning.

Ms. Page holds a graduate degree from the University of Georgia. Go DAWGS!

JOHN ADAMS

CEO

John@educatorsfirst.org

678-881-0844

John returns to Educators First after spending most of the past six years as Deputy Superintendent in Cobb County Schools. He was a co-founder of Educators First with Tana Page in 2011. John has over 31 years of related experience in human resources, education, and law enforcement.

TOMMY STEPHENS

Director of Advocacy

Tommy Stephens is the Director of Advocacy and leads the Advocacy Team.

tommy@educatorsfirst.org

(706) 897-6876

Takes all calls to assign advocates!
7 a.m.-10 p.m. 7 days a week!

Tommy Stephens’s resume includes serving in public education for 31 years as teacher/coach, district testing coordinator, assistant principal, principal and as superintendent of schools in two states from 1993 to 2012.

Mr. Stephens experience outside the K-12 education field includes Adjunct Profession for Truett McConnell College, mental health counselor for a county health department and project director for the national dropout prevention center. Mr. Stephens also served 4 years in the United States Air Force.

Mr. Stephens education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, Master of Science degree in education and Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Supervision.

Major accomplishments include founder of Mountain Education Charter High School, a non-traditional High School that serves 19 school districts in North Ga., nominated for Georgia School Superintendent Association Superintendent of the Year, and selected as New Superintendent Coach by the Georgia School Superintendents Association.

DR. ROSEMARY
VAUGHAN

Associate Executive Director of Membership

Rosemary@educatorsfirst.org

(678) 881-0844

Dr. Rosemary Vaughan has over 35 years of experience working in the field of education.

Her passion for education led her to serve in many roles as a classroom teacher, a school and district instructional leader, and an adjunct professor for teacher preparation programs. During this time, she managed a $17 million-dollar Federal grant that gave her the opportunity to work with schools and districts throughout the state to bring reform to Georgia education.

Dr. Vaughan received her undergraduate degree from Georgetown College, her Master’s in Education from Mercer University, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Instructional Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

BRITTANY RICKMAN

Associate Executive Director of Recruiting, Scheduling and Operations

Brittany@educatorsfirst.org

(770) 894-9100

Brittany has been with the Educators First team since Fall of 2016. Brittany was the Northeast Georgia Territory Manager for over 3 years, before joining the Executive Team in January of 2020.

Before Educator’s First, Brittany served in various roles in education spanning 13 years, including Principal, Assistant Principal, classroom teacher, and ASP Director. When she was a classroom teacher, she enjoyed mentoring new teachers. She has also won numerous awards including Teacher of the Year, Red Apple Teacher, and Employee of the Year.

Brittany holds an undergraduate degree in Theology, a Master’s in Education and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Psychology.

Educators First is a new model of professional association for outstanding educators in Georgia. We offer all the advantages of a traditional union, but without the high costs and partisan politics.