State Representative Phil Olaleye (D-Atlanta) has been recognized with the 2025 Torchbearer for Education Award by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). The award was presented in acknowledgment of Olaleye’s sponsorship of House Bill 310, known as the Student Teacher Promotion Act, during the 2025 legislative session.
In a statement, Rep. Olaleye said, “I am deeply honored to receive a PAGE 2025 Torchbearer for Education Award. Georgia has an ongoing teacher shortage that must be addressed. While student teaching provides prospective educators with invaluable experience, it can also present hardships to financially struggling students. HB 310 seeks to support future educators and further bolster Georgia’s teacher pipeline.”
House Bill 310 proposes to help make teacher preparation more affordable by offering grants of up to $7,500 to public schools and school systems for student teachers who are completing their required teaching component. Prospective student teachers would need to apply for these stipends, and all grants would depend on legislative funding.
The Torchbearer for Education Award is given to policymakers whose actions benefit Georgia students, educators, and public education.
Burns, a Republican, was elected to the Georgia State House in 2005 to represent the state’s 159th House District, replacing previous state representative Ray Holland.
For more information on PAGE, please click here.
