Get to Know A.B.:
Alicia "AB" Burgess is a proud product of Clayton County Public Schools. She has been a part of the Clayton County community since the young age of 7. Ms. Burgess has dedicated over 10-years of service to the Clayton County Public Schools' community. In 2008, she began her service with Clayton County's school district as a long-term substitute teacher. Ms. Burgess then transitioned into an educator, serving students with autism in the Exceptional Education Department. As an educator, Ms. Burgess took joy in mentoring many students who had at-risk behaviors in the traditional education population.
Growing up, Ms. Burgess always admired her father, who served both the United States Army and the Atlanta Police Department. She dreamed of contributing to making her community safer and being a role model. In 2014, Ms. Burgess became Officer Burgess after graduating from Fulton County Police Academy as a patrol police officer with the Fulton County Police Department. Officer Burgess graduated from the police academy 4-months pregnant and later became a loving mother to her son, Jomar.
As Ms. Burgess began embarking on a new career and an enjoyable motherhood journey, she began reflecting on how much she missed her Clayton County Public Schools' children. Ms. Burgess recognized her policing career would be beneficial to the students of Clayton County Schools. In September 2016, Ms. Burgess applied with Clayton County Public Schools' Safety and Security Department, later becoming SRO Burgess.
As an SRO, Ms. Burgess was very optimistic about bridging the gap between police and young people. She expanded her duties beyond policing. Ms. Burgess participated in: mentorship, hosting student-community involvement events, organizing scholarship fundraising events, promoting literacy, teaching students about police encounters, student mediation, enrolling at-risk behavioral students in behavior management courses, being vocal about ensuring student's safety, as well as, making sure all students knew she had their best interest at heart.
SRO Burgess served all schools within Clayton County's school district but had assignments to high schools such as Forest Park High and Mundy's Mill High for most of her tenure. Many students saw beyond Ms. Burgess being a police officer. They recognized Ms. Burgess as a mother-figure, aunt, big sister, and mentor. Through these bonds, students began referring to their SRO as AB.
Ms. Burgess is currently serving our federal government as a Police Lieutenant. Growing up, her Mom Dr. Burgess, stressed the importance of education and humanitarianism. Ms. Burgess' Mom is who motivated her to further her education and strive to be a humanitarian. Ms. Burgess has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a minor in Computer Science and a certification in Homeland Security. While working as an SRO, she obtained her Master of Arts Degree in New Media Journalism.
Alicia "AB" Burgess desires to express appreciation toward the county that raised her by utilizing her experiences, education, and voice to give back, as well as, continue mentorship in the Clayton County community.
Walk like you have 10,000 ancestors behind you!
I vote for my ancestors who sacrificed their life for me to have this right.
-A.B.