The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce recognized the very best students and educators from schools across Shelby County at their annual Student and Educator of the Year Program on April 27.  The event was sponsored by America’s First Federal Credit Union, 280 Living, and the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation.

Of the four main award categories, three of the four winners were from the Shelby County School District.  Emily Hill, a student at Calera High School and the Shelby County College and Career Center’s Healthcare Science Program, was named the Career Ready Student of the Year.  Michelle Dunning, a teacher from Oak Mountain Intermediate, and Dawn Cabrera, a teacher at Montevallo High School, were awarded Elementary and Secondary Educators of the Year.  Peyton Strickland from Pelham High School (Pelham City Schools) 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 the county’s students and educators an outgrowth of the Community and Workforce Development component of the Chamber of Commerce’s five-year ShelbyOne Strategic Plan. Students from public and private schools and school districts throughout the county were nominated for the College Ready and Career Ready Student of the Year awards based on their academic and extra-curricular achievements. Teachers 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.

In addition to Hill, the other Career Ready student nominees from the Shelby County School District included: Franklin Razo, Chelsea High School; Abigail Stith, Helena High School; Cecil David Lawley, Montevallo High School; Collin Nietfield, Oak Mountain High School; Christopher Davis, Shelby County College and Career Center; and Kris Phillips, Vincent High School.

College Ready student nominees from the Shelby County School District were Jordan Mooney, Calera High School; Christian Fauer, Chelsea High School; Jordan Ingram, Helena High School; Tamera Fletcher, Montevallo High School; Julia Buckner, Oak Mountain High School; Emma Smith, Shelby County College and Career Center; Marjorie Head, Shelby County High School; and Davis Whitfield, Vincent High School.

In addition to Dunning, the other elementary teachers from Shelby County who were nominated included Tanya Wilson, Calera Intermediate School; Martha Bentley, Elvin Hill Elementary School; Vickie Birdsong, Forest Oaks Elementary School; Shannon Mosley, Helena Elementary School; Amanda Miller, Helena Intermediate School; Joan Ray, Inverness Elementary School; Katie Thompson, Mt Laurel Elementary School; Cammie Eanes Oak Mountain Elementary School; Kristal Lawrence, Shelby Elementary School; Marlee Clifton, Vincent Elementary School; and Allison Studdard, Wilsonville Elementary School.

In addition to Cabrera, the other secondary teachers who were nominated included Alice LaGrone, Calera High School; Jennifer Nabors, Calera Middle School; Nick Baumbaugh, Chelsea High School; Ashley Grainger, Chelsea Middle School;  Becky Bagby, Columbiana Middle School; Anita Lewis, Helena High School; Sharon Worthy, Helena Middle School; Tammy Wilburn, Linda Nolen Learning Center; Evelyn Moore, Montevallo Middle; Michael Zauchin, Oak Mountain High School; Heather Holmes, Oak Mountain Middle School; Marcy Campbell, Shelby County College and Career Center; Dustin Cleckler, Shelby County High School; and Brooke Gifford, Vincent High School.