Georgia school named after former first lady Sandra Deal

Former Georgia first lady Sandra Deal spent decades in Hall County schools as a student, teacher and parent.

Now, a school in the county bears her name, celebrating her legacy as an advocate for education and children’s literacy.

Former Gov. Nathan Deal and Hall County Schools officials and students dedicated the brand new Sandra Dunagan Deal Elementary School Monday. The building sits in Gainesville, just across the road from Lanier Technical College, where a building on campus is named for her husband.

Sandra Deal died of breast cancer in 2022. She notably read to students in each of Georgia’s 159 counties when she was first lady and facilitated donation of thousands of books to children and schools.

Credit: Ben Hendren

Nathan Deal said it was special for his wife’s school to be in the district that was such a big part of her life.

“Education is important to all of us, and we are fortunate when we find good teachers, we find good academic leaders and when we find a community that embraces the importance of education. And this community has done that,” he said.

Sandra Deal’s love for learning began in her own childhood on a Gainesville farm.

“Born to parents who were also teachers, I grew up in a household that valued a sound and strong education,” she wrote in a piece for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2011. “I learned firsthand how important reading is to every child’s long-term success.”

Nathan Deal shared stories of his wife’s quirks, saying she would have insisted everyone help clean up the chairs lining the gymnasium before they left the dedication. He also said that she used to scold him because his career limited her time as a classroom teacher to 15 years. But that didn’t stop her: even with four kids at home she substituted in the schools so much that she may as well have been working full time.

The former governor became emotional describing a portrait of his wife that was also unveiled Monday and will hang at the school’s entrance.

The portrait doesn’t just depict Sandra Deal. It shows students in a classroom, listening eagerly as she reads to them from “Veto, The Governor’s Cat,” which Nathan Deal penned in his wife’s honor .

Sandra Deal’s name also adorns the Center for Early Language and Literacy at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. The institution where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees surprised her with the honor in 2019.

Keri Smith, principal of the new school, said Sandra Deal’s legacy will inspire students for generations.

“Her kindness, modesty and tireless work have set a shining example of what it means to truly serve others,” Smith said.

Students who spoke at the dedication said they were excited for the brand new, state of the art building.

Third grade student Jamie McClain said it was a great place to make friends.

Sparrow Panter, another third grade student called the school magical and highlighted two features that made her especially excited: the culinary arts classroom and the playground zip line.

“You have to try it out,” she said to the crowd.

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