GADSDEN, AL – The Etowah Chamber of Commerce hosted its eighth annual Excellence in Education and Teachers of the Year Luncheon on May 8 at the Venue at Coosa Landing. Gadsden State Community College was the presenting sponsor of the 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 Gadsden State student. Mia Williams, a student at Westbrook Christian School, gave the invocation.
Awards were then presented to the Teachers of the Year. Winners received an award featuring original art by local students Molly Sumners of John Jones Elementary School and Virgil Stinson of Hokes Bluff High School.
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 consists of members from local schools, the Etowah Board of Education, and Gadsden State.
Three Gadsden State representatives received Excellence in Education Awards.
Laura Catoe, ADA coordinator, received the Excellence in Student Support Award, which was sponsored by Alabama Power Co. Catoe ensures students with disabilities receive the accommodations they need to thrive on the college campus. Drawing from her personal experience as a mother of children with low vision, she attends transition events and maintains relationships with sign language interpreters and transcriptionists. Her dedication has transformed barriers into opportunities.
Excellence in Community Partnership went to Gadsden State Police Chief Jay Freeman. The award is sponsored by the City of Gadsden. Since establishing the police department in 2023, Freeman has transformed campus safety through innovative programs, such as women’s defense classes, firearm training and senior scam prevention seminars. He has launched an anti-bullying campaign, created the Behavioral Intervention Team for at-risk students and visits local schools regularly to educate and empower.
The coveted Heart of an Educator Award, sponsored by Gadsden State, was presented to Laura Wilson. She has been praised for her passion for history and inclusive teaching. For 19 years, she has made an impact on international students, learners with disabilities and anyone else who may need extra support. Recognizing the challenges facing non-native English speakers, she provides personalized guidance to students, helping them navigate courses with confidence.
Other Excellence in Education award winners include:
Excellence in Special Education: Magic Panther Athletic Program (Amber Works, Emma May, Ashley Lincoln), John S. Jones Elementary School
Excellence in STEAM: Karen Thompson, Carlisle Elementary School
Excellence in Library Media: Leah Smith, Glencoe Elementary School
Excellence in Science: Ashley Turner, Jacksonville State University
Excellence in Workforce Development: Etowah County Project Search (Katie Browning, Dande Grant, Amy Brown)
Excellence in School Counseling: Alex Ball, Hokes Bluff Elementary School
Excellence in Administration K-12: Ernest Calloway, Donehoo Elementary
Excellence in Early Education: Reid West, Gaston Elementary School
Excellence in Creative Learning: Katelyn Soper, St James Catholic School
Excellence in Technology Instruction: Genia Craft, Duck Springs Elementary, Etowah Middle, Etowah High School
Excellence in Career Tech Post Secondary: Christi Truck, Jacksonville State University
Heart of an Educator K-12: Janie Browning, Gadsden City Schools
Excellence in Literacy Instruction: Wendy Shaddix, Attalla Elementary
Additionally, educators were recognized for achieving National Board Certification, the highest credential in the teaching profession. Less than 3% of teachers in the state hold this distinction.
Those recognized include:
Emily Wilson (Generalist/Middle Childhood) Katie Baker (Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood)
Laura Johnson (Generalist/Middle Childhood) Amanda Moses (Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood) Brenden Perry (Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood) Anna Rains (Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood) Kasey Roberts (Mathematics/Early Adolescence) Leah Smith (Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood) Madison Gunter (Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood) Megan Talton (Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood)
