New Asst. Superintendent of HR named, first year teachers honored

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Joel Dixon was named Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources during the Sept. 24 Shelby County Board of Education meeting. He replaces Jim Miller, who retired in August. 

Dixon, whose previous role was Human Resources Supervisor, thanked Superintendent Lewis Brooks and the board for this opportunity, and the others he has had with the county over the last 12 years. 

“Since day one I have been encouraged by a wealth of people,” he said. “I am thankful for my relationships with the superintendent, individual board members and in this new role, I look forward to serving in a way that serves our mission.” 

Two first year Teachers of the Year were recognized during the meeting. They were to have been honored in May, but that was delayed due to COVID-19.

Brad Acre, who teaches social studies at Chelsea Middle School said in his nominee essay that he never would have thought teaching would be as much fun as it is. 

“I knew I would enjoy the academic side of education, but I never stopped to consider the joy of building relationships with so many students,” he said. “It took me by surprise how often I found myself laughing with my students and connecting with them on a personal level."

He went on to say he was not expecting the flood of emotions that came after learning they would not get to go back to school after COVID-19 began. 

“I have heard people talk about how teachers shape children,” Acre said. “I went into my first year thinking about how I would shape them. Much to my surprise, I was shaped by the students.”

Also honored was Kindergarten teacher Tiffany Hayes from Shelby County Elementary School. She said her classroom became a second home for her group of 21 students and their classmates became their family. 

“I learned more than I ever could have imagined during this past year,” she said. “During my times of reflection, I came up with three key pieces of advice: be flexible, be confident, and be present. Be flexible because every day has new challenges and situations that cannot be predicted. Be confident in the classroom culture you created with your students. Be present for your students, allowing them to connect with you and feel the love you have for them.”

An annexation of property at Chelsea High School was approved that will bring the entire campus into the city limits. David Calhoun, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, said it was recently discovered that all of the campus did not get annexed back in 1996. About 75% of the campus was already in city limits, but the soccer field, girls softball fields and the end zone of the football field were not, but the board approved the annex during the meeting.

Also approved during the meeting:

  • A five year capital plan
  • FY2020-21 salary schedule
  • Revised board policy on harassment
  • Personnel actions, bus subs and aides
  • Approval for a bid to Commercial Floor Systems out of Saginaw for flooring for various schools. 

The next SCBOE meeting will be held Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Central Office Auditorium in Columbiana.