About

Who is Ernie Lee?

Ernie Lee is an educator, speaker, writer, and founder of Classroom Counsel LLC. Named the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, he helps teachers and school leaders build classrooms marked by confidence, clarity, trust, and purpose.

A former attorney with a background in psychology, Ernie brings a rare combination of legal training, classroom experience, civic leadership, and practical wisdom to his work with educators.

Speaker

Ernie Lee is a keynote speaker and educational consultant who brings warmth, credibility, and practical wisdom to audiences of educators, school leaders, and future teachers. As the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year and a veteran classroom teacher, Ernie speaks from lived experience about classroom confidence, teacher identity, student relationships, civic responsibility, and the courage required to teach well. His presentations are especially suited for teacher induction programs, education conferences, professional learning events, colleges of education, and organizations seeking to encourage and equip educators for meaningful, sustainable work.

Educator

Ernie Lee spent his teaching career helping students think deeply, engage respectfully, and grow as citizens and learners. A former attorney with a background in psychology, he brought a distinctive perspective to the classroom, combining intellectual rigor, relational leadership, and practical classroom wisdom. His work with students and teachers centers on the belief that effective teaching is built not only on content knowledge, but also on trust, clarity, consistency, and the confidence to lead with purpose.

Author

Ernie Lee is the author of Calm Authority: Building Classrtoom Confidence from Day Onee, a forthcoming book designed to help new and second-career teachers build the practical mindset and presence needed to thrive in the classroom. Drawing on his experience as a teacher, attorney, speaker, and teacher leader, Ernie writes about classroom management, student relationships, professional identity, and the deeper calling of teaching. His work encourages educators to move beyond survival mode and develop the calm authority, clarity, and confidence that make strong classrooms possible..

Teacher Leader

As the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Ernie Lee has served as a statewide voice for educators and a mentor to teachers across Georgia and beyond. He is a past president of the Georgia Council for the Social Studies and a member of the National Council of State Teachers of the Year and the National Council for the Social Studies. Through his leadership, speaking, consulting, and service on the Board of Visitors for Mercer University’s Tift College of Education, Ernie continues to support teachers, strengthen the profession, and advocate for the importance of excellent classroom instruction.

Civic Education Background

Ernie Lee’s civic education background is shaped by his legal training, classroom experience, and long-standing commitment to helping students understand their rights, responsibilities, and role in a constitutional democracy. A graduate of Mercer University with a degree in psychology and Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, Ernie brings legal insight and civic perspective to his work with educators and students. His experience includes speaking for the University of South Carolina School of Law’s Constitutional Center and leading in the social studies community through the Georgia Council for the Social Studies. His civic education work emphasizes informed citizenship, civil discourse, constitutional principles, and the responsibility of teachers to prepare students for thoughtful participation in public life.

Honored by U.S. Congress

In a proud moment for Georgia educators, U.S. Representative Buddy Carter formally recognized Ernie Lee, the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. This national acknowledgment highlights Ernie’s exceptional contributions to public education and his dedication to empowering students and supporting fellow teachers across the state.

Lawyer Turned Educator

In Episode 30 of “Mr. Bryan’s Classroom”, Georgia’s 2016 Teacher of the Year Ernie Lee shares a powerful story about life, purpose, and impact. After a successful career as a lawyer, Ernie left the courtroom behind to pursue his true calling: teaching.

In this 17-minute episode, Ernie discusses:

His decision to leave the legal profession and begin a second-career in education
Practical strategies that helped him reconnect with his passion and thrive in the classroom
Motivation and insights for educators who may be feeling burnt out or stuck

From Law to Classroom

This compelling Teacher Feature by WJCL News profiles Ernie Lee, a former attorney turned passionate educator at Savannah Arts Academy. The video captures how teaching became his true calling—and why it matters so deeply.

In this feature, you'll learn:

How Ernie transitioned from a 20-year law career (including overcoming bankruptcy) and chose to start fresh as a teacher at age 50.
What it’s like teaching at Savannah Arts Academy—an institution whose students apply and maintain strong academic performance—and why that environment energizes his work.
His philosophy: “I don’t want to teach them what to think, I want to teach them how to think.” He emphasizes life skills in sociology and psychology that prepare students for lasting success beyond graduation.

Leading Education Change

In this session hosted by the University of Georgia’s Mary Frances Early College of Education, Ernie Lee, 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, explores the role of complexity leadership in education. Drawing on his journey from practicing law to excelling in the classroom, Ernie shares:

Why he pursued a graduate certificate in Complexity Leadership to strengthen educator leadership and system-wide impact
How skills acquired outside of education—like law and curriculum development—inform his approach to teaching and advocacy
Real-world lessons on building better learning environments, partnerships, and educator networks

This talk connects theory to practice, offering insights for anyone interested in leadership that adapts, empowers, and improves educational systems. Perfect for teachers, coaches, administrators, and future educational leaders.

Meet Ernie Lee

Watch Ernie Lee, former Georgia Teacher of the Year and behavioral sciences educator, reflect on his path from practicing law to becoming an impactful teacher in Savannah, Georgia. In this video:

Ernie discusses what motivated him to leave a 20‑year legal career and dedicate himself to education
He highlights how teachers can drive meaningful change in students’ lives and communities
You'll hear about the values and experiences that shaped his approach to behavior science and classroom leadership

This heartfelt presentation underlines how experience, purpose, and dedication can make a difference in education—no matter where you start.

Inside His Classroom

“Serving as Georgia’s 2016 Teacher of the Year empowered me to advocate for educators statewide…”
Listen to Ernie Lee as he reflects on the collaboration, leadership, and legacy of the Georgia Partnership.

Navy Flight Experience

In this inspiring video created for the 2017 Teach Like Me campaign, Ernie Lee invites viewers inside his high school classroom at Windsor Forest High in Savannah, Georgia. With original music licensed from Moby via mobygratis.com, the video showcases Ernie’s warm and engaging teaching environment as he:

Offers a personal tour of his classroom setup
Shares practical teaching strategies rooted in relationship-building and student engagement
Encourages fellow educators to reflect on and refine their own teaching style

Created as part of a national campaign founded by Shawn Sheehan, the 2016 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Teach Like Me celebrates passionate educators making a difference every day. Ernie’s message is clear: great teaching isn’t about imitation—it’s about authenticity, preparation, and connection.

Windsor’s Star Teacher

A Unique Experience with 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Ernie Lee

In this inspiring and one-of-a-kind video, Ernie Lee, 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year and founder of Classroom Counsel, takes to the skies with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as a selected Key Influencer.

Filmed at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport on March 22, 2017, the 34-minute film captures the behind-the-scenes training, safety protocols, and flight preparation provided by Aircraft Structural Mechanic Second Class Arthur Stockpole, USN, leading up to a breathtaking ride in an F/A-18 Hornet piloted by Lt. Brandon Hempler, USN.

Through this unforgettable opportunity, Ernie highlights not only the professionalism and pride of the Navy and Marine Corps, but also the unexpected doors that a career in teaching can open.

“You should consider becoming a teacher—you never know the heights you will reach.”

Windsor Forest’s Star Teacher

Watch the full video to see how excellence in education connects with service, leadership, and national pride.
Interested in a career in aviation? Visit www.navy.com or www.marines.com.
Interested in making a difference as an educator? Explore how Classroom Counsel can help you take flight in your teaching career.

Transforming Education

Join us in reliving a defining moment for educator leadership. In this heartfelt video, Ernie Lee—later named the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year—reflects on his early years teaching at Windsor Forest High School. Through storytelling and classroom insight, he illustrates how his background outside education shaped his approach: bringing relevance, authenticity, and student-centered learning into the history and civics classroom.

What You’ll See:

Ernie’s journey into the classroom and the meaningful connections he built with students
How real-world experience informs his educational philosophy and drives engagement
The beginnings of a leadership path that would lead to statewide recognition as a top educator

This video captures the spirit behind Classroom Counsel—showcasing how dedication to student growth and thoughtful strategy create transformative learning environments.