GEORGIA – Dr. Tony Price, a retired educator with over 35 years of experience, never imagined that his childhood in a small Ohio town would one day lead him to impact thousands of students across multiple states. His trailblazing leadership and innovative school reform have left an indelible mark on the communities he served.
Dr.Price began his career in New York City after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilmington College. From there, he stepped into his first teaching role in one of the nation’s most challenging educational environments.
“My eyes were forced to open wide and far as I learned the art of hard-core urban education,” Dr. Price shared in a recent interview about his remarkable career. “Teaching in NYC was a true test as to whether I wanted to help children who were facing every obstacle in the world trying to obtain an education.”
While teaching grades 5 through 8 for the Archdiocese of New York and New York City Public Schools, he quickly realized that education wasn’t just about curriculum. For him, it was about care, dignity, and hope. There he saw children battling challenges far beyond textbooks and standardized tests.
Dr. Tony Price Expands His Impact In Virginia
After earning his master’s degree in social studies from Lehman College, Dr. Tony Price and his wife, Dr. Noris Price, moved to Virginia.
There, he helped launch the first alternative program for Falls Church City Public Schools, a small but affluent district near Washington, D.C. The role allowed him to design tailored educational pathways for students who struggled in traditional classrooms.
When asked about his time in Virginia, he described the high expectations that shaped his approach to leadership. “Northern Virginia is a very demanding environment and professionalism is important,” he said. “High standards are the rule there, not the exception.”
His reputation grew quickly. Dr. Price became an assistant principal at the formerly known T.C. Williams High School, now Alexandria City High School, known nationally for its diverse student population and the inspiration for the film Remember the Titans.
Later, he served in Alexanderia’s middle school, F.C. Hammond, supporting their transition to new educational models and learning how program design could transform outcomes.
“I learned early that young people thrive when you create programs that fit their needs,” he said.
Dr. Tony Prices Pioneers Transformational Change In Georgia
In 1996, Dr. Tony Price and his family moved to Georgia, a decision that would shape the next two decades of his career. As principal of Therrell High School in Atlanta, he focused on raising achievement and improving behavior among students in high-poverty communities. He later led a non-traditional alternative high school to support students needing new pathways to graduation.
During his 13 years in Clarke County Schools in Athens, Price transformed school cultures as associate principal at Clarke Central High, principal at Hilsman Middle, and principal at Cedar Shoals High. At Hilsman, he guided the school off the Needs Improvement list and earned the Governor’s Silver Award for academic excellence.
He launched the school’s first Career Center and JROTC program and secured authorization for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program.
“Leading the charge to become an International Baccalaureate school was a proud moment,” he said.
At Cedar Shoals, Price created Georgia’s first ninth-grade academy and a summer program to ease transitions into high school. Under his leadership, the school ranked among the top 8 percent nationwide by the Washington Post and became a Professional Development School with the University of Georgia.
“I’ve always believed education is a team effort,” he said. “When you invest in your teachers and build strong partnerships, students benefit exponentially.”
Thought Leadership In A Changing Education Landscape
Today, Dr. Tony Price continues to shape education as an adjunct professor of educational leadership at Nova Southeastern University and as an adjunct assistant professor of history at Georgia Military College, where he was named Adjunct Educator of the Year in 2020.
His passion for helping disadvantaged youth remains central to his work. “I don’t think you can teach passion. It’s something you inherit or God gives it to you,” he said.
When asked about emerging trends that excite him, Dr. Price pointed to technology and AI as tools that can bridge long-standing achievement gaps. “If utilized correctly, students can use innovative technology to learn. Teachers today have access to an incredible amount of resources. It’s amazing.”
He also emphasized the deep societal challenges students face every day. “Young people, especially the underserved, are facing the ills of society. Extreme poverty, crime, lack of health care. These kids come to school with debilitating problems and we expect them to learn? This is their reality.”
He believes school leaders must embrace holistic approaches, integrating social workers, psychologists, and behavior specialists into educational teams. At the same time, he says schools should expand beyond college-focused pathways to include trades and vocational options.
“We need to provide opportunities for our students to choose from, not decide what they will become,” he said.
Advice For The Next Generation Of Educators
For aspiring teachers and administrators, Dr. Price offers direct wisdom. “First, I will applaud them. We need, more than ever, caring and competent adults to serve and lead children in the 21st century. If your heart and head are in the K-12 realm, then move forward with gusto. You can and will make life-changing differences for families, not just students.”
He also reminds future leaders to seek mentorship and practice self-care.
“I would have relied much more on experienced, passionate educators when I was confronted with tough situations,” he said. “Pride is a wonderful thing, but it can get in the way of a successful ending to a problem.”
He added, “Understand that you have so little control over your students. We only had them from 9 to 3. It’s okay to care for your students, but you must know your limitations, especially when life gets in the way.”
A Life Built On Purpose
Dr. Tony Price looks back on his nearly four decades of education with gratitude. “I am still amazed that a man such as myself who came from modest means could rise to a special level of life because I had opportunities to pursue an education,” he said. “If I can do it, so can other young men and women who were not born with a silver spoon in their mouths.”
Outside of education, Dr. Price finds joy in sports and history. A lifelong athlete, he loves college football and basketball and continues to read about American history from the Constitution to the Civil Rights Movement.
“This love of history helps me share that passion with my students,” he said.
Most of all, Price leans on his faith, which has guided him throughout his decades-long career. He is also a proud father to Juan Carlos Price, a graduate of Auburn University who holds a master’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and now works as a TV news producer in Orlando, Florida. His wife, Dr. Noris Price, serves as the Baldwin County School Superintendent in Georgia and was named the 2022 State Superintendent of the Year and a national finalist. Together, the Price family continues to impact lives through education and storytelling.
Looking back, he sees his career not just as a job but as a calling that continues to shape him.
“My pursuit was wanting to help others through education seek and accomplish their dreams, just like I have and continue to do.”
