Pam Riner Baggett has qualified to run for the vacant District 1 Board of Education seat. She is a life-long resident of Garfield, where she has served on the Garfield City Council and the Garfield WashPot Committee. Baggett has been an integral part of the Garfield Volunteer Fire Department for many years and is a First Responder as well. She is a 1979 graduate of Emanuel County Institute. Pam also graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Masters in Interrelated Special Education. This past May, she retired from teaching after 31 years. Her teaching career began at Emanuel County Institute where she taught her entire career. Pam is also involved with the Averitt Center for the Arts in Statesboro, where she has performed in many plays.
Baggett has three grown children, two who are teachers in the Emanuel County School system, Devin Coxwell, teacher at Swainsboro Primary School, and Dena Walden, Instructional Coach at Emanuel County Institute, and son, Payton Riner, who is a deputy with the Emanuel County Sheriff’s Department. Serving others and a love of community runs strong in her family. Pam also has ten grandchildren – Gauge Coxwell, Swainsboro High School, Lola and Mary-Ella Walden, Emanuel County Institute, Joleigh and Micah Coxwell, Jorie Walden, Twin City Elementary, and Sarah Laine Coxwell at Swainsboro Primary School. She has three other grandchildren who will start school in Emanuel County next year, as well as a great-grandchild in Early Headstart. It is safe to say that Pam has a vested interest in Emanuel County Schools. Attracting and retaining good teachers is a priority – teachers are leaving the profession, and there is no one to take their place. Keeping our schools safe and drug free for our students and teachers is just as important.
Baggett began her career teaching Special Education classes, as a resource and co-teacher in all grade levels and subject areas from sixth to twelfth grades. For the last ten years of her teaching career, she headed the alternative school at ECI and taught Credit Recovery as well as ISS. Pam has a heart for kids who need second and third chances. She advocates for these students and will continue to do so, just as she will be a voice for all students. Pam will be an advocate for teachers as well, having “been there, done that”, she knows how very important it is to have a voice on the Board of Education.
Being retired, Pam will be accessible to all whenever there is a need. With her large family and their involvement in Emanuel County Schools, Pam Baggett will be a fixture and advocate for education in Emanuel County for years to come. With 31 years of experience, she can bring much to the table and experience matters.
