Shonray Brooks, Emanuel County native and former teacher at Swainsboro Middle School announced her candidacy for District 5 School Board in Emanuel County. Ms. Brooks is a graduate of Emanuel County Institute’s class of 1994. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BA in English in 1999. She worked in Emanuel County Schools for almost 20 years, starting as a paraprofessional at Swainsboro High School and then as a 7th grade ELA/Reading teacher at Swainsboro Middle School. While at SMS, Ms. Brooks co-sponsored the SMS Step Team and was the Basketball Cheer Coach for SMS for five years. During her tenure at SMS, Ms. Brooks collaborated with her colleagues on fundraisers, was part of SMS’s management team for one year, and was the curriculum lead for 7th grade ELA for 7 years. Ms. Brooks always prioritized educating her students and often worked tirelessly during after school tutoring to ensure their success. When asked why she believes she is best suited for the District 5 School Board position, Ms. Brooks stated, “I know first-hand about the struggles of our students and our teachers here in Emanuel County. I was born here. I was educated here. I served here as an educator myself, which is why I am willing to do the work that is necessary to make certain that all of our students and teachers have what they need to be successful. Although I am not in a classroom anymore, my heart remains there with my colleagues and the students of Emanuel County, and it always will.”
