Having lived in Iowa since the age of six, George Pickup grew up in a family of four siblings, all of whom earned bachelor’s degrees—a reflection of the strong value his parents placed on education, despite neither having completed post-secondary studies. Two of his three sisters recently retired from careers in public education, continuing a family legacy of commitment to learning and service.

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George earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State University, majoring in Economics and minoring in Political Science, along with an “All” Social Science endorsement. He later completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Illinois University.

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Over the span of a 38-year career in public education, George served as a high school social studies teacher for 21 years before transitioning into administration. For the final 17 years of his career, he held leadership roles, retiring in 2024 as the high school principal at Central DeWitt. In addition to his roles in the classroom and the front office, he also coached multiple sports, shaping students’ growth both academically and athletically.

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Education is a central pillar of his family’s life. George's wife, Cathy, dedicated 28 years to Early Childhood Education. Their daughter, Carolyn, is entering her third year as a fourth-grade teacher, while their son, Gus, is preparing to begin his own career in the education field.

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George Pickup is a long-time advocate for the importance of collective bargaining in both the public and private sectors, firmly believing in its role in ensuring fairness and equity for workers. He has been a long-time member of the ISEA and NEA, and served as chief negotiator for two of the districts that he taught in.

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His community involvement reflects a lifelong dedication to service. George is a member of the Delmar Lions and is also a member of First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Central DeWitt Education Foundation and spent eight years representing educators on the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Representative Council.

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Through education, leadership, and community engagement, George Pickup has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building stronger schools and communities across eastern Iowa.

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During his personal time, George loves to fish, golf, and cheer on the Iowa State Cyclones, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks!  Fun fact about George: His wife and he traveled to all 30 Major League Baseball parks in 1999 and watched an entire game at each.