Gerald R. Firth

1983-1984

Gerald R. Firth guided the College with a steady hand through 15 months of the most extensive reorganization and budget reduction of its history.

Firth had served as a professor at the University of Georgia for 25 years in roles including chair of the department of curriculum and supervision and director of the Division of Academic Assistance. He had been president of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development as well as of ASCD affiliates in four states. He was founder and president of the Council of Professors of Instructional Supervision.

As a scholar, he co-authored significant textbooks in both specializations: Instructional Supervision: A Behavior System with Robert J. Alfonso and Richard Neville (1975, 1981) and The Curriculum Continuum in Perspective with Richard D. Kimpston (1973). He was co-editor with Edward F. Pajak of the Handbook of Research on School Supervision (1998).

He also contributed chapters to ASCD yearbooks, texts and reference books, as well as numerous articles in professional publications, notably, Educational Leadership and the Journal of Curriculum and Supervision.

Firth came to UGA after serving in faculty and administrative roles at the University of Alabama, the University of Minnesota and the State University of New York at Buffalo. His prior experience in school systems ranged from teacher to superintendent.

Firth served as director of a reform effort with small rural schools in the U.S. and as chief of party to the Ministry of Education in Egypt, and as consultant to bi-national schools in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Firth retired as professor and dean emeritus in 2000.