GAEL Leadership & Staff
Cindy Flesher, GAEL Interim Executive Director
Cindy has an extensive history of service and passion for the GAEL organization. She is a GAEL Past President and has served as the GAEL Professional Learning Coordinator since 2020. On January 1, 2024, she began her tenure as GAEL Interim Executive Director until the GAEL Board of Directors appoints a permanent replacement for the position of Executive Director.
Cindy graduated from Georgia College with a bachelor’s degree, Georgia Southern University with a master’s degree, and Georgia College with a specialist degree, all in the area of early childhood education. She also completed a leadership add-on to the specialist degree.
She began her teaching career in Effingham County and later taught at Southside Elementary in her hometown of Milledgeville for three years. Houston County has been her home for the past 28 years where she taught Kindergarten at Morningside Elementary and first grade at Centerville Elementary. While teaching at Morningside Elementary, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year for the school and as a finalist for the system.
She also served as Centerville Elementary’s principal and assistant principal for instruction. Cindy retired from the Houston County School district in 2021 as the Deputy Superintendent. Other roles she served in at the central office are as the Assistant Superintendent for School Operations and Executive Director of Elementary Operations.
Since her retirement, Cindy has been proudly serving as the Professional Learning Coordinator for the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL). GAEL has a special place in her heart as she has been an active member for 20+years and served as the 2013-2014 GAEL President. Prior to being President, she also held the offices of President-Elect and Treasurer of GAEL.
Married to Jay Flesher of Flint Energies, the couple has one daughter, Macie. In her spare time, Flesher likes to read, travel and spend time with family and friends.