Pell City School System students and teachers were recognized at the April meeting of the Pell City Board of Education.

“It is always a great meeting anytime we have students present because it keeps us grounded in why we’re here,” Pell City School System Superintendent Dr. Michael Barber said. “And being able to recognize the teachers for their incredible work, because they are the most important people we hire.”

Three teachers were recognized for their nominations as Teacher of the Year. Teachers must be recommended by staff as well as students. Heather Harper, fifth grade Language Arts teacher at Williams Intermediate School, was nominated for the Jacksonville State University (JSU) Hall of Fame for kindergarten-fifth grade and the State of Alabama Teacher of the Year for kindergarten-sixth grade. Blakeley Goodgame wrote a recommendation for Harper, stating, “Her (Mrs. Harper’s) classroom is one filled with love and sincerity that shows every student has a safe, accepting environment.”

Katie Williams, an English teacher from Duran South, was nominated for the JSU Hall of Fame for sixth-eight grades. Emma Best, a student of Williams, wrote her recommendation, “Mrs. Williams is compassionate and caring for each of her students. She makes the classroom fun and a great place for learning. Mrs. Williams motivates her students to always strive for more.”

Amy Funderburg, who was not present, was nominated for the JSU Hall of Fame for 9-12 grade and State of Alabama Teacher of the Year for 7-12 grades. “Exceptional does not even begin to describe Mrs. Funderburg,” Hannah Epperson, a former student at Pell City High School, wrote. “An enthusiastic educator, she keeps her students engaged with course-related activities that suffice to reinforce learning in an interesting way. She prides herself in her professionalism while simultaneously having an open door to help any students that need an adult to confide in.”

Results of the nominations for Teacher of the Year will be announced in May. 

In other business, Joel Bowman, junior varsity basketball coach at Pell City High School (PCHS), was named as the varsity head basketball coach effective immediately.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have this chance,” Bowman said. “I am a hometown boy who bled on the same court that I will now be coaching on. I will take this opportunity to do a good job. I guarantee that I will love the kids and do my best. Go Panthers!”

Bowman has been teaching and coaching for 10 years from elementary level through high school. Bowman said he is proud to be a product and an employee of the Pell City School System.

Students from Duran South Junior Beta Club were also present at the Board of Education meeting with a robotics demonstration. The group won third place in Robotics Showcase at the Junior Beta Club Convention in Birmingham in February. Junior Beta Club members from Williams Intermediate School won first place, and Duran South members won third place. All of the groups have been invited to compete at the National Convention in Orlando, Florida this summer. They are currently holding fundraisers for students to attend. 

Other students who were recognized were members of the PCHS Math Team who competed with 20 other schools at Southern Union on April 13. The Math Team placed second in Algebra I, second in Geometry, and second in Pre-Calculus. April Carter, math teacher at PCHS and founder of the Math Team said, “We are very proud. Next year we would like to do more than one tournament and hope to host one here.” 

Steve Moore, an auditor with Porter, Bryant, and Moore, PC, was also present to give a financial report of the school system for the previous and current fiscal year. “The schools have improved over the past year,” Moore said. “I would like to thank the school system and the board for the great job they are doing.”