Each new school year brings more to learn, more to experience, and more to do. It also brings an opportunity for outstanding teachers to be recognized through the Kiwanis Club of Pell City Teacher of the Month program.  

Each month beginning in September, principals of local Pell City Schools select a teacher that has shown dedication in education. The chosen teacher receives a plaque and a check for $100 for their classroom.

The first teacher to be honored in the 2017-2018 school year is Cedric Jordan, mathematics teacher at Duran Junior High School North. This begins Jordan’s twelfth year teaching. 

“I greatly appreciate what the [Kiwanis] Club does for the city, and for me as well as the students,” Jordan said in accepting the award.

Jordan graduated high school from the Alabama School of Fine Arts, where he attended with a major in music. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham as a music major with minors in Mathematics, French, and Sociology. Jordan has also completed his master’s degree and education specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Montevallo and Jacksonville State University, respectively.  

“[Jordan] genuinely cares about kids, and that makes a big difference in his class,” Duran Junior High School Principal Richard Garris said. “You never know…he might break out singing in class. That music major comes in handy!” 

Meredith Snow and two of her students from Williams Intermediate were also present to speak about their Panther Pals program instrumented by the special needs students. They use donated items to craft a product to sale for fundraising purposes. Funds raised go toward field trips, technology, and other materials for the classroom, including tablets and IPads.

“Each year we are expanding our workshop,” Snow said. “We have purchased sewing machines and a vinyl cutting machine. This year we want to do ceramics and purchase a kiln for the classroom.”

Some of the crafts created by students are button necklaces, knotted scarves, and blocks with vinyl lettering. Students are focusing on the fall and football season and will be selling items at the Williams Intermediate Open House on Sept. 19, at Fall Frenzy on Oct. 7, and at the Santa Shop the last week of school before the winter break.

“We have been very blessed by the community, and what you [Kiwanis] do as well,” Snow said.

Kiwanis Pell City has built two pavilions and an open-air classroom in Lakeside Park.  Members have also built an outdoor classroom at Iola Roberts Elementary School and helped with the sensory garden at Williams Intermediate. 

Kiwanis sponsors Teacher of the Month each year from area Pell City Schools. They are also the sponsors of the Key Club at Pell City and Springville High Schools. Members participate in Reading is Fundamental, Coats for Kids, and Operation Christmas Box, which they are preparing for this year.

For more information about Kiwanis Pell City, visit www.kiwanis.org or contact Dana Jacks at djacks@metrobankpc.com or call 205-884-6168.