About Ernie

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2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year | Attorney Turned Educator | Author | Keynote Speaker | Educational Consultant

Ernie Lee believes that great teaching begins with relationships and grows through sound professional judgment, clear expectations, and the confidence to lead with both authority and care.

His perspective is shaped by an uncommon professional journey: more than two decades practicing law, a second career in public education, and recognition as the 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year.

Today, as founder and Principal Partner of Classroom Counsel LLC, Ernie draws on his experience as an attorney, award-winning educator, and educational leader to help teachers build confidence, strengthen classroom relationships, and develop the practical skills they need to succeed. Through keynote presentations, professional development, and educational consulting, he works with schools, districts, universities, and professional organizations committed to supporting effective teaching.

Ernie earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Mercer University and his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

For more than 20 years, he practiced law, including serving as in-house counsel for the Savannah College of Art and Design. His legal career sharpened skills in critical thinking, communication, ethical decision-making, and navigating complex human relationships—skills that would prove invaluable in his second profession.

After a successful legal career, Ernie entered public education through Georgia's alternative certification program. He quickly discovered that professional accomplishments and life experience, while valuable, do not automatically translate into classroom confidence.

Like many second-career teachers, he had to learn a new profession, establish his authority, build relationships with students, and develop the judgment necessary to navigate the unpredictable realities of classroom life.

That experience continues to shape his commitment to helping new and second-career teachers translate their life experiences into effective classroom leadership.

Ernie taught in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, including positions at Windsor Forest High School and Savannah Arts Academy. Additionally, he taught educational law as an adjunct at Georgia Southern University. His teaching assignments included International Baccalaureate History, Advanced Placement Psychology, American Government, Civics, Sociology, and other social studies courses.

Throughout his teaching career, he emphasized meaningful relationships, intellectual curiosity, high expectations, and creating classroom environments where students felt respected, challenged, and supported.

In 2016, Ernie was named Georgia Teacher of the Year, providing opportunities to advocate for students, teachers, and public education at both the state and national levels.

His commitment to educational excellence extended beyond his own classroom. He served in teacher leadership roles, including department chair and induction coordinator, and helped prepare and mentor new educators through professional development and alternative-certification programs.

Ernie also pursued professional learning through experiences including a Smithsonian Teacher Fellowship and educational institutes at Mount Vernon and Monticello. These opportunities enriched his teaching and reinforced his belief that effective educators remain lifelong learners.

Ernie's commitment to education extends well beyond the classroom.

He is a past President of the Georgia Council for the Social Studies, where he contributed to professional learning, teacher leadership, and advocacy for social studies education.

He serves on the Board of Visitors of Mercer University's Tift College of Education, supporting the preparation and professional development of future educators. His professional affiliations include the National Council for the Social Studies and the National Network of State Teachers of the Year.

Ernie has also served as a founding board member of the Ben Marion Institute for Social Justice, supporting kindness, empathy, and fairness.

Drawing upon his combined background in law and education, Ernie speaks on classroom leadership, civic education, constitutional principles, professional ethics, and the role of educators in preparing young people for responsible citizenship.

His speaking experience includes a keynote address at the University of South Carolina School of Law's Constitutional Center, as well as presentations for educational and professional audiences.

After retiring from classroom teaching in 2025, Ernie founded Classroom Counsel LLC to continue supporting educators through keynote speaking, professional development, consulting, and teacher mentoring.

His work centers on a fundamental conviction: effective classroom management is not simply about controlling behavior. It is about developing the relationships, professional judgment, consistency, and confidence necessary to lead students well.

Ernie is especially committed to new and second-career teachers, helping them recognize the strengths they bring to the profession while developing the practical skills needed to succeed.

Through Classroom Counsel, he also partners with school districts, teacher preparation programs, and educational organizations to strengthen teacher induction, mentoring, classroom leadership, and professional learning.

Whether addressing a room of experienced educators, welcoming teachers at a new-school-year convocation, or working with individuals preparing for their first day in the classroom, Ernie brings practical experience, thoughtful insights, humor, and a deep respect for the teaching profession.

Ernie is the author of the forthcoming book, Calm Authority in Your Classroom: A Teacher's Guide to Leading with Confidence and Care from Day One, scheduled for publication by Eye on Education, an imprint of Routledge.

Drawing on his experience as an attorney, classroom teacher, and educational leader, the book offers practical guidance on establishing classroom authority, building meaningful relationships, responding to challenging situations, and exercising sound professional judgment.

The book reflects a belief that has guided Ernie throughout his career: teachers do not have to choose between authority and compassion. Effective educators learn to lead with both.

At the heart of Ernie's work is a simple philosophy: It's all about relationships.

Relationships form the foundation for trust, learning, accountability, and professional growth. But meaningful relationships require clarity, preparation, consistency, and the confidence to make difficult decisions.

Through Classroom Counsel, Ernie helps educators discover that calm authority is not an innate personality trait. It is a professional capacity you can learn, practice, and strengthen.

His message is both practical and encouraging: teachers can lead with confidence without intimidation, establish high expectations without sacrificing compassion, and create classrooms where students and teachers can thrive.

Ernie is available for keynote presentations, professional-development workshops, teacher induction programs, university engagements, and customized educational consulting.

To discuss a speaking engagement or professional learning opportunity, contact ernie@classroomcounsel.org or visit the speaking inquiry page.

• 2016 Georgia Teacher of the Year — Recognized for excellence in teaching, educational leadership, and advocacy for public education.
• Smithsonian Teacher Fellow — Selected for professional learning through the Smithsonian Institution, enriching classroom instruction through historical inquiry, research, and educational resources.
• Teacher Induction Coordinator, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System — Supported, mentored, and guided beginning teachers as they transitioned into the profession, helping them develop classroom management skills, instructional practices, and professional confidence.
• Past President, Georgia Council for the Social Studies — Provided statewide leadership in social studies education, professional development, and advocacy for educators.
• Board of Visitors, Mercer University Tift College of Education — Supports teacher preparation, educational leadership, and the development of future educators.
• Board Member, Ben Marion Institute for Social Justice — Contributed to initiatives promoting kindness, empathy, fairness, and social responsibility.
• More Than 20 Years of Legal Experience — Practiced law in institutional and private settings, including service as in-house counsel for the Savannah College of Art and Design.
• Juris Doctor, Cumberland School of Law, Samford University — Brings legal reasoning, communication, ethics, and professional judgment to educational leadership and consulting.
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Mercer University — Provides a foundation in human behavior, relationships, learning, and motivation.
• Retired Educator, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (2025) — Completed a distinguished second career teaching secondary students, including Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.

Ernie's journey from practicing attorney to award-winning educator reflects his belief that professional growth and meaningful contributions are possible at every stage of life. His experience in classroom teaching, teacher induction, professional development, and educational leadership gives him a distinctive perspective on the challenges educators face. 

Today, through Classroom Counsel LLC, he brings that experience to keynote presentations, workshops, and consulting engagements, helping educators develop the confidence, judgment, and relationships essential to effective teaching.