Submitted By: Dr. Kyra Caldwell Templeton, Program Director of Student Engagement & Co-Advisor of the Student Advisory Council (SAC)
“As I sat on the dais today, I couldn’t help but think about the many people I represented.”
For the first time in Atlanta Public Schools’ history, those words weren’t from a Board member or district administrator; they came from Marcel Copeland, a 12th-grade student from B.E.S.T. Academy, who made history as the inaugural Student Advisory Council (SAC) representative to participate in an Atlanta Board of Education (ABOE) work session.
Marcel’s presence at the dais marked a significant milestone: student voice elevated from aspiration to action, from audience to governance.
A Seat at the Table … And a Voice in the Conversation
This moment did not happen by chance. It was the result of a Board policy passed in November that formally established student representation in Board work sessions—creating a pathway for students to engage directly with district leadership on the issues shaping their educational experience.
But policy on paper is one thing. Implementation is another. Marcel’s participation demonstrated what authentic student engagement looks like in practice: prepared, substantive, and taken seriously.
In advance of the work session, Marcel participated in multiple preparation meetings alongside district leaders, including Travis Norvell, chief strategy officer; Keith Glass, Jr., program director for Community Affairs and SAC co-advisor, Dr. Kyra Caldwell Templeton, and Board Member Alfred “Shivy” Brooks, At-Large Seat 7. These sessions were designed to orient Marcel to ABOE protocols, the work session, and to ensure he felt confident, informed, and empowered to contribute meaningfully.
Marcel reviewed presentations on early learning, teacher quality, and district finances. And he came prepared; not with softball questions, but with the kind of probing inquiries that reflected a systems-level understanding of how decisions made in boardrooms affect what happens in classrooms.
Questions That Matter
In the prep sessions, rather than focusing on surface-level details, Marcel asked about impact. He wanted to know how professional development for teachers translates into improved student outcomes. He raised concerns about the pace of new initiatives, the challenge of implementation at the school level, and whether teachers are given sufficient time and support to apply what they learn.
In conversation with Board member Brooks, he spoke candidly about what students notice and feel inside classrooms. He questioned how success is measured and asked whether student feedback should play a role in evaluating instructional quality. He also emphasized the importance of alignment between district strategy and daily classroom experience.
These weren’t the questions of someone going through the motions. They reflected intellectual curiosity, lived experience, and a perspective that Board members acknowledged they needed to hear.
Dr. Bryan Johnson, APS Superintendent, praised Marcel’s contribution: “Marcel Copeland is an amazing young man who’s super engaged and does a great job.”
As one Board member shared during a preparation meeting, the creation of a student representative role had long been an aspiration. Seeing Marcel step into that role with confidence and clarity was a powerful validation of that vision.
More Than Representation …
After the work session, Marcel reflected on the weight of the moment:
“It was a great honor and privilege to be the first student in what will be a forever tradition, in being a student representative on the Board of Education for Atlanta Public Schools,” Marcel said. “I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Caldwell Templeton and Mr. Glass for laying the groundwork to open doors and elevate the voices of all students—and the Atlanta Board of Education—for continuing to lead not only with a focus on student outcomes, but with a commitment to student voices. Additionally, I would like to thank Mr. Brooks for his support in making this historical experience the best I could ever ask for. Most importantly, I want to thank B.E.S.T. Academy for empowering me with the courage to advocate for my community.”
He continued: “I wasn’t just speaking for my peers, but I understood it was my responsibility to improve student life and to uplift the staff who pour knowledge and inspiration into the world’s future leaders. Today is a reminder that we must not only recognize the power of student voice but also understand the impact it can have on improving the effectiveness of an entire district.”
Marcel’s words reveal something essential. He didn’t view his role as ceremonial. He understood that sitting on the dais came with responsibility; to his peers, to his school, and to the broader Atlanta community.
A Legacy and a Challenge
As the first student to serve in this role, Marcel has set a powerful precedent. His leadership demonstrates what is possible when students are trusted with responsibility, given access to information, and invited into meaningful decision-making spaces.
But he’s also issued a challenge to the students who will follow in his footsteps and to the district leaders who will work alongside them.
In his closing reflection, Marcel offered this charge to future student representatives:
“To every student who has the opportunity to sit on the dais, remember, you are not only representing your peers and your family. You are carrying the hopes of an entire community determined to invest in the future of the world,” he said.
Looking Ahead
This moment is not the finish line; it is the foundation. Future SAC representatives will build on Marcel’s example, continuing to shape conversations around teaching, learning, equity, and opportunity in APS.
The questions he asked will inform policy discussions. The perspective he brought will remind Board members to consider how decisions translate to classroom experience. And the precedent he set will ensure that student voice remains not just welcomed, but expected.
Student voice is imperative to moving the district forward. And thanks to Marcel’s historic participation, that voice is now firmly and permanently seated at the table.
