ATLANTA – Continuing its implementation of the statewide education initiative to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of using energy wisely and efficiently, Georgia Power today announced the selection of Viola Ibarra as the energy education coordinator in Georgia Power-served schools in  Bartow, Catoosa, Heard, Floyd, Polk and other northwest Georgia counties.

“I am pleased to welcome Viola to our team of nearly a dozen education coordinators around the state,” said Amy Hutchins, Georgia Power’s education and training manager.  “Viola will provide locally focused guidance and assistance while partnering with area schools to develop classroom experiences for children that highlight the crucial role energy plays in our daily lives.”

Beginning this fall, Ibarra will work with third-, fifth- and eighth-grade students in local school systems to deliver energy efficiency messages through “in-class field trips,” using hands-on activities, Web-based learning, and educational/career awareness events. 

A focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects in Georgia schools will also be emphasized, as well as awareness around careers in the electric utility industry.  The program is designed to help create well-informed future energy purchasers and cover topics relevant to the industry.

A graduate of Shorter College with a bachelor’s in business administration, Ibarra is currently working on a Master of Arts in leadership. 

Active in the local community, Ibarra mentors high school students at risk of dropping out and is a Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful board member and facilitator for the Dalton-Whitfield Emerging Leaders Program.  She was also recently named to the Dalton-Whitfield charter commission which was created by the General Assembly earlier this year to look at combining the general governments of Dalton and Whitfield County.

Prior to accepting this position, Ibarra was a bilingual customer service representative for the company.  Fluent in Spanish, she provided customer service to both English- and Spanish-speaking customers. 

“I am proud to have the opportunity to work with educators and students in this community to build a strong foundation and understanding of the importance of using energy wisely,” said Ibarra.  “Teaching young students how to make smart energy choices will positively benefit our local communities and state.”

Georgia Power is collaborating with the State Board of Education, educators and other stakeholders on curriculum development and deployment of its new energy education program. Classroom activities will teach specific curricular principles relating to energy efficiency that have been integrated in the required learning objectives.  These objectives can and will be part of the national science “common core” standards and congruent with Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS).

The company is also partnering with Georgia Youth Science and Technology Centers, Inc., (GYSTC).  Having served over 1.7 million Georgia students, GYSTC provides quality programs for teachers of STEM subjects that improve the teaching and learning process at the K-8 levels. Their programs change students’ conceptions and inspire an appreciation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects.  

This new learning initiative, the company’s latest foray into focusing on education, is a significant step but not a departure from the over 100 years of support the company has provided being a “Citizen Wherever We Serve.”  From supporting Junior Achievement to providing new teacher assistance grants to sponsoring camps aimed at giving students hands-on experience about the importance of math and science in energy and environmental careers, the company has been an active partner in developing future leaders.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity.  The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates below the national average.  Georgia Power serves 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.