Dr. Ann Levett,

Superintendent

Savannah-Chatham Public Schools, GA  

Dr. Shanna Downs 

Superintendent

West Georgia RESA 

Dr. M. Ann Levett, a native of Savannah, Georgia, and a proud product of its local schools, is the Superintendent of Savannah-Chatham Public Schools (SCCPSS). She is a life-long professional educator, beginning her career at SCCPSS as a speech and language pathologist. After serving in Savannah, Dr. Levett left the area to pursue other professional opportunities. She rose to the rank of acting superintendent in Dayton, Ohio, before moving on to higher education leadership positions at Antioch University, Middle Georgia State University, and Yale University School of Medicine. Throughout her higher education tenure, she coordinated school university partnerships across the United States and its territories and led school reform efforts in several European cities, including Dublin (Ireland), London (UK), Utrecht (Netherlands), and Rennes (France).  

Dr. Levett has also consulted on significant community development projects in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and several major U.S. cities.  In October 2007, she was appointed to the Board of Education for New Haven Public Schools in New Haven, CT. She also served as a board member for two charter schools in New Haven. Since returning to Georgia, Dr. Levett has served in several key positions at the state level and maintained her positions in several national and international organizations. She is a published author, nationally known speaker, and consultant on international educational projects. Most recently, Dr. Levett was named 2021 National Superintendent to Watch. She holds the 2021 Carl Perkins Community Service awardee, 2020 University of Georgia College of Education Lifetime Achievement awardee, 2019 Georgia Outstanding Woman, 2019 Georgia Department of Education’s STEM and STEAM Advocate of the Year, and received numerous awards from other organizations.

Dr. Shanna Downs grew up in Helen, Georgia. A Georgia educator since 1997, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Middle Grades Education, a Master of Science in Special Education, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership. 

She began her educational career teaching special education in grades 2-8 in various settings ranging from inclusion to resource to a self-contained classroom for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. These years were spent in two vastly different school environments, one rural and one inner-city. She later transitioned into the general education setting, where she taught science and math at the middle school level for several years before serving as an Assistant Principal/Academic Coach. She later served as Director of School Improvement, overseeing state and federal programs at the district level for White County Schools in Cleveland, GA, before becoming Superintendent of Gilmer County Schools in Ellijay, GA. 

In her six years as Superintendent of Gilmer County Schools, Dr. Downs led numerous projects in school improvement, facilities improvement, and school safety while actively promoting community engagement. In 2021, Dr. Downs accepted the role of Executive Director of West Georgia Regional Education Service Agency (WGRESA), which serves seven school districts in the western region of Georgia with a total student enrollment of 65,000 students.  Dr. Downs serves on numerous Boards and Commissions throughout her home state of Georgia.