Richard Woods (politician)

Richard Woods is an American politician and educator who is currently the Georgia Superintendent of Schools, a position he was elected to in 2014. He was reelected to his position in 2018, defeating his Democratic opponent Otha Thornton with slightly over 53% of the vote.^[1]

Richard Woods
Georgia Superintendent of Schools
Incumbent
Assumed office January 12, 2015
Governor	Nathan Deal Brian Kemp
Preceded by	John Barge
Personal details
Born	Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Lisha
Education	Kennesaw State University (BA) Valdosta State University (MA)

Woods received his bachelor's degree from Kennesaw State University and his master's degree from Valdosta State University. His career in education has spanned over twenty-five years, including fourteen in the classroom as a high school teacher. He spent an additional eight years working as a school administrator, in positions such as assistant principal and alternative school director. Woods also worked as a purchasing agent for a multi-national laser company and has been a small business owner.^[2]

Personal life

Woods was born in Pensacola, Florida, as part of a military family. The family moved frequently, living in California, Hawaii, and Virginia before finally settling in Georgia. Woods is a graduate of Fitzgerald High School. He is married to Lisha, a retired educator of thirty years, and has been a long-time resident of Tifton.^[3]