Richard Woods, Georgia's School Superintendent, recently spoke to future teachers in an education class at Gordon State College.

Woods spoke about accountability, testing, and professional development. When the subject of developing relationships with students came up Woods said a classroom was sometimes the safest place a child knows.

"Not everything that happens at a student's home stays at home," he said. "Sometimes the best thing you can do is give a child a hug."

He told the class that their chosen profession was very important to society and they, as teachers, will impact many lives.

"Thank you for going into this profession, be proud and brag about being a teacher," he told the sophomores. "And when you become a teacher, encourage your students to consider teaching."