Shelby County Schools honors national board-certified teachers

by

Several newly National Board-certified teachers in Shelby County Schools were recognized during the Feb. 15 Shelby County Board of Education meeting. This brings the number of nationally board-certified teachers in the district to 107.

The certification is designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. It is a voluntary process created and assessed by teachers. 

The certification process consists of four different components to show evidence of accomplished teaching:

  • Computer-based assessment at a formal testing center
  • Student work samples and the teacher’s ability to differentiate
  • Video recordings of classroom instruction
  • Effective use of assessment, family and community engagement

Superintendent Lewis Brooks said the process takes from one to three years and 100 professional development hours are awarded for each component.

“The letters NBCT after a teacher’s name is the highest honor a member of the profession can obtain. We congratulate all of you on this accomplishment and your dedication to excellence,” Brooks said. 

The following teachers received their initial 2023-24 National Board certification:

  • Maria Clark, Calera Elementary (early childhood generalist)
  • Rebecca Loveless, Forest Oaks Elementary School (early childhood generalist)
  • Jennifer Slovensky, Oak Mountain Elementary School (early childhood generalist)
  • Taylor Tidmore, Wilsonville Elementary School (early childhood generalist)
  • Lindsey Kauffman, Helena Middle School (math)
  • Christian Collins, Oak Mountain High School (science)
  • William Dunham, Oak Mountain High School (science)
  • Daniel Hines, Oak Mountain High School (science)
  • Taylor Korson, Oak Mountain High School (exceptional needs)
  • These teachers received their maintenance certificate after five years:
  • Pam Clay, Helena Elementary School  (early childhood generalist)
  • Melanie Henderson, Helena Elementary School (early childhood generalist)
  • Jan Hughey, Helena Elementary (early childhood generalist)
  • Misty Stevens, Helena Elementary School (early childhood generalist)
  • Rebekah Austin, Oak Mountain Elementary School (exceptional needs)
  • Melody Byrne, Wilsonville Elementary (early childhood generalist)
  • Kristy Bender, Helena Middle School (exceptional needs)
  • Sara Stewart, Oak Mountain Middle School (exceptional needs)
  • Kasey Hollington, Oak Mountain High School (social studies)
  • Susan Schwartz, Oak Mountain High School (social studies)

Beth Fuller, Shelby County Schools Federal Programs supervisor (literacy)

Shelby County Schools Deputy Superintendent Lynn Carroll told the teachers, “We are very proud of all of you and appreciate that you have put so much time and dedication into working to improve your professional practice, and for that we know that our students will greatly benefit, so congratulations on your hard work.”

Also during the meeting, two projects were approved for Chelsea home bleachers for the football stadium, which is a partnership project being paid for by the city of Chelsea.

“We are going to manage the project, but it’s fully funded by the city of Chelsea,” Assistant Superintendent of Operations David Calhoun said. “This involves the football field bleachers on what is currently the visitors side, and once the new bleachers go in, it will become the new home side.”

The bid was awarded to Williford Orman Construction with a base bid $1,048,880 and an alternate bid for a concrete walkway for $94,200, for a total of $1,143,080.

A new parking lot for Chelsea High School was approved as part of the five-year capital plan for 2024. 

“This was a need we knew was going to be upon us, so we planned and budgeted for this to address sometime this school year,” Calhoun said. “The project includes the creation of a new lot, so there will be some dirt work, leveling and paving of a new lot, as well as the milling down and resurfacing of the existing parking spaces already on campus. It’s quite extensive and will all be done during the summer.”

The board approved the base bid to Williford Orman Construction, and the total cost of the package with four alternates is $1,894,749.

A change order was approved for the Oak Mountain High School fine arts building, which will provide upgrades and renovations to the former choral room and former band room at a cost of  $207,535. Calhoun said the task of rehabilitating the old space will begin by removing the former band practice rooms so the building can be utilized for another purpose.