Sharon Martin, Interventionist at Vincent Middle/High School, has been named the recipient of the Shining Star Award by the Alabama Education Assocation.  The AEA Shining Star Award is the state Education Support Professional of the Year Award, and recognizes the contribution of Education Support Professionals to their schools, communities, and their profession. The award is presented to a member of AEA who demonstrates outstanding accomplishments and reflects the contributions of Education Support Professionals to public education.

Martin will represent the state of Alabama at the National Convention.  If selected, she will be award $20,000, which one half going to her local school and the other half going to her state association.

Martin was nominated for the state Shining Star award by her co-worker, Ginger Hodges. The  nomination highlighted Martin’s work duties as the Vincent Middle/High School interventionist, where she is also co-sponsor for First Priority; her duties as a Site Secretary with the Community Education After School Program at Chelsea Park Elementary; and her service to AEA in the capacity of UniServ District 13 President.  The nomination also highlisted Martin’s service to the Shelby County Education Support Professional (SCESP) Assocation as vice-president, SCESP Executive Board, association building representative, as a national and state delegate, and the Legislative Contact Team.  Martin also serves on the board with South Shelby Relay-For-Life and is involved with Women on A Mission at her church, Coosa Valley Baptist Church.

“In December 2012, I wrote a resolution for a pay scale to be created for paraprofessionals holding a degree and it has passed for two consecutive years in the Delegate Assembly,” said Martin.
After going through the process, it could one day become a legislative bill.  That would really move my heart that some paraprofessional may reap the benefit from it one day.”