Gadsden State wins four Excellence in Education Awards

05/24/24

Gadsden State wins four Excellence in Education Awards

Gadsden, Ala. - The Chamber of Gadsden & Etowah hosted its seventh annual Excellence in Education and Teachers of the Year Luncheon on May 9 at the Venue at Coosa Landing. Gadsden State Community College was the presenting sponsor of the event.

“We continue to appreciate the partnership we have with Gadsden State,” said Christi Robinson, president and CEO of The Chamber. “We appreciate Gadsden State’s willingness to always support this wonderful event.

The luncheon began with the presentation of colors by the Etowah High School Junior ROTC and the singing of the National Anthem by Sydney Day, a member of Gadsden State’s A Cappella Choir. Caity Daniel, Gadsden State’s SGA president, gave the invocation.

Awards were then presented to the Teachers of the Year. Winners received a hardback journal from Gadsden State as well as an award featuring original art by K-12 students. Courtney Brothers, Gadsden State’s volleyball coach, was recognized as the Teacher of the Year for Southside Elementary School, where she teaches physical education.

Awards then were presented in various categories for the Excellence in Education Awards. Winners were nominated by community members. Then, the nominees submitted an application that was reviewed by the Excellence in Education Committee. The committee is chaired by Jackie Edmondson, director of Public Relations and Marketing. Pam Johnson, dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Grants and Special Projects, also serves on the committee.

Four Gadsden State representatives received Excellence in Education Awards.

Tabitha Bozeman, an instructor in the Language and Humanities Division, accepted the Excellence in Community Outreach Award on behalf of the Cardinal Arts Journal. The award is sponsored by the Etowah County Commission. The CAJ started as a project in Bozeman’s creative writing classes but now includes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art and photography submissions from students, employees, alumni and community members. The CAJ hosts contests as well as creative workshops in art, poetry, crocheting, bookmaking, nature journaling and more.

Excellence in Student Development went to Catherine Bailey, an English and Paralegal Studies instructor. The award is sponsored by Blueprint University. During her award announcement, it was said that her commitment to her students goes beyond the classroom. She invites judges, paralegals and attorneys to give her students deeper insight into what they are learning and how it can be applied in the real world. Bailey also created a professionalism workshop for her paralegal students.

The coveted Heart of an Educator Award, sponsored by Gadsden State, was presented to Valerie Roberts, an Office Administration instructor. She is described as having a servant’s heart because she volunteers at every opportunity on campus and in the community. She has a true passion for her students and makes genuine connections to help them reach their full potential.

The Excellence in Postsecondary Administration Award was presented to Alan Smith, dean of Workforce Development. Over $36 million has been invested in career technical education under his leadership, and enrollment continues to increase. He fosters relationships with students and employees on workforce opportunities. He was also instrumental in securing funding for the new Advanced Manufacturing and Workplace Skills Training Center.

Other Excellence in Education award winners include:

Excellence in Physical Education: Hope Beach of Adams Elementary

Excellence in K-12 Administration: Keith Blackwell of Gadsden City Schools

Excellence in Special Education Services: Coosa Behavioral Services

Excellence in Student Support: Donna Smoots of Gadsden City Schools

Excellence in Collaborative Learning: English as a Second Language Department of the Etowah County School System

Excellence in Literacy Instruction: Amanda Fordham of Floyd Elementary

Excellence in Community Awareness: Gadsden City Schools Instructional Coaches

Excellence in Creative Learning: Librarians at Jacksonville State University’s Houston Cole Library

Exceptional Support Staff – Elementary: Martha Lopez of Floyd Elementary

Exceptional Support Staff – Secondary: Steve West of Etowah Middle

Excellence in Library Media: Allison Williams of Southside Elementary