The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce recognized the very best students and educators in Shelby County at their Inaugural Student and Education of the Year Program on April 30.  The event was sponsored by America’s First Federal Credit Union and was held at the Pelham Civic Center.

Of the four main award categories, three of the four winners were from the Shelby County School District.  Elizabeth Fredrick, a student at Montevallo High School, was named the Career Track Student of the Year.  Kelly Hill, a teacher from Inverness Elementary, and Jodie Ferguson, a teacher at Oak Mountain Middle School, were awarded Elementary and Secondary Educators of the Year.  Tahireh Markert from Indian Springs School was the winner of the College Track Student of the Year.   The student winners each received a cash award of $750 to assist with their education and career development.  The teachers also received a $750 cash award for use in their classrooms.

 “The recognition program for our county’s students and educators is the outgrowth of the community and Workforce Development component of our five-year ShelbyOne Strategic Plan,” said Chamber President and CEO Kirk Mancer.  “Given that our 1,000 plus member organizations are the future employers of these students, we think it’s an important step to recognize the excellence that is taking place in our Shelby County classrooms at both the student and educator level.”

Students from public and private schools throughout Shelby County were nominated for the College Track and Career Track Student of the Year awards based on their academic and extra-curricular achievements.   Teacher across Shelby County were also nominated based on their use of creative instructional strategies and approaches that positively impact student achievement and their own commitment to personal and professional growth.

Career Track student nominees from the Shelby County School District included Adam Erhart, County College & Career Center; Jonathan Fleagle, Pelham High School; Elizabeth Frederick, 

Montevallo High School; Michael Gilham, Vincent High School; Noah Gregson, Oak Mountain High School; and Jacob Lewis, Calera High School.

 

College Track student nominees were Kathryn Clemmons, Pelham High School; Brittney Finn, Vincent High School; Odalys Gallo, Montevallo High School; Margaret Hayes, Oak Mountain High School; Skyler Hendrix, Calera High School; Lauren Riley, College & Career Center;  and Maeghan Steelreath, Chelsea High School.  

 

Elementary teachers who were nominated included Wendy Avery, Calera Elementary School; Cindy Bailey, Valley Elementary School; Kathryn Brekle, Mt. Laurel Elementary School; Anna Chandler, Calera Intermediate School; Elisabeth Fuller, Shelby Elementary School; Lela Gale Harris, Linda Nolen Learning Center; Rebekkah Hess, Helena Intermediate School; Kelly Hill,

Inverness Elementary School; Stephen Kearley, Wilsonville Elementary School; Amy Rooker,  Elvin Hill Elementary School; and Laura Wolfe, Oak Mountain Intermediate School.

 

Secondary teachers who were nominated included Jennifer Bailey, Chelsea High School

Jacqueline Brown, Calera High School; Jessica Brown, Riverchase Middle School; Ryan Dye,  

Pelham High School; Jodie Ferguson, Oak Mountain High School; Jessica Garcia, Columbiana Middle School; Jerry Goggins, College & Career Center; Ray Haley, Chelsea Middle School;

Lee Pastor, Montevallo High School; Chelsea Rutledge, Calera Middle School; Jennifer Supri, Vincent High School; and Crystal Watford, Helena Middle School