CLAS School Leader - Winter 2023

2022-2023 CLAS Board of Directors

CLAS Officers

President Dr. Bob Lawry Hoover City Schools

President-Elect Chris McCullar Walker County Center of Technology

Past President Donald Turner, Jr. Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP)

Carrie Busby .................................. Mountain Brook High School

Dr. Brian Clayton James Clemens High School

David Diaz Satsuma High School

Dr. Jason Goodwin ............................... Russellville City Schools

Dr. Antjuan Marsh Robert E. Lee High School

Wes Rogers Elmore County High School

Bennie Shellhouse.................................. Andalusia City Schools

Seth Taylor Pleasant Valley High School

Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA)

Dana Bottoms ........................... W J Carroll Intermediate School

Veronica Coleman Chastang-Fournier K-8 School

Dr. Charles Gardner Hokes Bluff Elementary School

Dr. Margaret Jones ..................... Edgewood Elementary School

Dr. Waller Martin Enterprise Early Education Center

Dr. Jami Rainey Northridge Middle School

Dr. Stan Stokley ............................. Saraland Elementary School

Dr. Dilhani Uswatte Rocky Ridge Elementary School

Alabama Association of Middle School Principals (AAMSP)

Cassandra Anderson Straughn Middle School

Andy Carpenter Wellborn High School

Dr. Tamala Maddox i3 Academy - Middle School

Tony Sanders Greensboro Middle School

Alabama Council of Administrators of Special Education (ALA-CASE)

Dr. Charla DeLeo ...................................... Brewton City Schools

Dr. Annie Spike Marshall County Schools

Courtney Utsey Selma City Schools

Alabama Child Nutrition Directors (ACND)

Melinda Bonner Hoover City Schools

Alabama

Leaders Advocating for English Learners (ALA-EL)

Dr. Stefanie Underwood ............................ Decatur City Schools

Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (AASCD)

Dr. Lisa Beckham

Samford University

Ashley Catrett Crenshaw County Schools

Dr. Patrick Chappell. ........................................................ Retired Dr. Justin Hefner Homewood City Schools

Dr. Carlos Nelson Sheffield City Schools

Dr. Evelyn Nettles-Hines..................... Birmingham City Schools

Alabama Association for Prevention, Attendance and Support Services (AAPASS)

Casey Davis

Tallapoosa County Schools

Amanda Hood Mountain Brook City Schools

Bobby Jackson Retired

Alabama Association of Career/ Technical Administrators (ACTA)

Connie Davis .........................................

Demopolis High School

Chris McCullar Walker County Center of Technology School

Superintendents of Alabama (SSA)

Christie Finley

Huntsville City Schools

Dr. Suzanne Lacey ............................ Talladega County Schools

Dr. Chuck Ledbetter Pelham City Schools

Dr. Aaron Milner Saraland City Schools

Dr. Timothy Thurman ................................... Linden City Schools

Alabama Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA)

Dr. David Asbury ...................................... Gadsden City Schools Dr. Allison Mays Tuscaloosa County Schools

Alabama Association of 504 Coordinators (ALA504)

Dr. Richard Templeton Muscle Shoals City Schools

Affiliate Presidents

Dr. Jan Tribble

AASCD President

Dr. Waller Martin .............................................. AAESA President

Michael Romine ................................................. ACTA President

Dr. Bob Lawry .............................................. AAPASS President

David Sikes

AASSP President

Dr. Resia Brooks AASPA President

James Chapman SSA President

Dr. Ross Reed AAMSP President

Lana Tew

ALA-CASE President

Patrick McGavin ACND President

Dr. Jason Barnett ALA-EL President Dr. Annie Spike ............................................... ALA504 President

08

10

Director’s View

Happy Fall, Y’all!

Membership

It’s time to join/renew for 2022-2023

District Principals of the Year

Recognition for those honored during the fall conferences.

Happy Fall Y’all!

DIRECTOR’S view

Dr. Vic Wilson

Executive Director

CLAS

Happy Fall everyone, Can you believe we are more than a quarter of the way through the school year? By the time you receive this edition of the newsletter, the Fall sports calendar will be nearing the end of the regular season. I hope you have had a chance to go see your students perform. If not, you still have time, and you also have the playoffs. Get out there and support your students and your peers who lead them. Go Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, oh my. (Go Redtops, and Purple Cats, and Flying Squadron too.)

This October, we celebrated principals and assistant principals. In fact, I hope we celebrate all educational leaders as much as possible; however, October was National Principals Month, and we specifically highlight the work of our building-level leaders. CLAS was very intentional about honoring this group for the entire month of October. The State Board of Education recognized the following leaders during their

We had an election in November, and I hope you took the time to vote. Your vote is important, and I know that you will use your voice and your vote. Craft your narrative or someone will craft if for you. Engage your elected leaders on issues of importance to you. The CLAS Legislative Platform will be voted on by the CLAS Board at the December meeting. Thereafter, we will get the platform out to our members. As always, we are here to advocate for educational leaders and education in our state, and we encourage you to let us know how we can help you with your leadership journey.

We also ask you to share the great things happening in your school and system. We love celebrating these things

October meeting. Governor Ivey will also honor the these administrators with a proclamation signing. Congrats to all the winners.

Pictured (L to R): Dr. Eric Mackey, State Superintendent of Education; Mr. Kyle Futral, Holtville High School and High School Principal of the Year; Mrs. Brigett Stewart, Piedmont Elementary School and Alabama’s NAESP National Distinguished Principal; Ms. Andrea Datson, Riverton Elementary School and Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year; Ms. Ashley Bowling, Florence Middle School and Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year; Dr. Larry Haynes, Oak Mountain Middle School and Middle School Principal of the Year; and Dr. Vic Wilson, CLAS Executive Director.

with our members, and we are happy to highlight your story in the Friday Update. Simply shoot us an email, and we will help you get the good word out to everyone.

We have a new podcast, and we hope you will take the time to listen and give us feedback. The podcast is called The PrincipAL Truth, and we will discuss educational leadership through the lens of the building level leaders. Hopefully, we can gain valuable insight on the work done to help principals lead their schools, and we can share those great stories with our members and others.

Sanders and the professional learning department work hard to ensure that our members have access to the best possible professional learning. However, we cannot do that without feedback from you. We read and use data from our surveys, and we also rely on you to let us know about your needs for professional learning.

Finally, many of your schools have been nominated by your superintendent for the CLAS School of Distinction and CLAS Banner School Awards. The nominations open each October, and it’s important for you to communicate with your superintendent about nominating your school’s programs for this prestigious award. Whether or not your school is a recipient, it’s always great to be recognzied by your superintendent and it helps craft the narrative in your community that you are doing great things.

As always, we are here to help you in your leadership journey. Simply let us know how we can assist.

Finally, remember to craft your narrative or someone will craft it for you.

Sincerely,

I encourage you to reach out to Dr. Demica Sanders if you have a question about professional learning. Dr.

Teaching

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Awards & Recognition

Each year, in November, the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals names its district principals of the year and the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators names district nominees for Alabama’s National Distinguished Principal.

Middle School Principal of the Year

Each district’s selection was considered before the finalists for the Middle School Principal of the Year award were chosen. The district principals of the year were recognized at an awards ceremony at the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference on November 8, 2022. The district principals of the year are:

District 1 Rashad Stallworth

CL Scarborough Middle School Mobile County

District 2 Jarod Andrews Ashford Middle School Houston County

District 4 Damian Sinclair Sanford Middle School Lee County

District 5 Desaree Jackson (finalist) Calera Middle School Shelby County

District 6 CJ Boyd Cleburne Middle School Cleburne County

District 7N Tony Bonds (finalist) Russellville Middle School Russellville City District 7S Norman Ballard Hamilton Middle School Marion County District 8 Kyle Pinckard (finalist) Boaz Middle School Boaz City

The Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year Award is sponsored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals and Horace Mann. AASSP is grateful to Horace Mann for their support and recognition of outstanding Alabama public school administrators.

High School Principal of the Year

Each district’s selection was considered before the finalists for the High School Principal of the Year award were chosen. The district principals of the year were recognized at an awards ceremony at the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference on November 8, 2022. One overall winner will be named in January. The district principals of the year are:

District 1 Jerome Woods Blount High School Mobile County

District 2 Daniel Barrentine (finalist) George W. Long High School Dale County

District 3 Antjuan Marsh (finalist) Lee High School Montgomery County

District 4 Brad Cook Smiths Station High School Lee County

District 5 Kim Kiel Pelham High School Pelham City

District 6 Jason Deason Alexandria High School Calhoun County

District 7N Sabrena Malone Rogers High School Lauderdale County District 7S Micah Smothers (finalist) Addison High School Winston County

District 8 Demond Garth Austin High School Decatur City

The Alabama High School Principal of the Year Award is sponsored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals and American Fidelity. AASSP is grateful to American Fidelity for their continued support and recognition of outstanding Alabama public school administrators.

Alabama’s National Distinguished Principal

Each AAESA district selects one nominee for Alabama’s NAESP National Distinguished Principal. In January, a committee of judges will review their applications and select three finalists. Each finalist will host a site visit of judges. Alabama’s NAESP National Distinguished Principal will be named in early spring. The district nominees are:

District I Karissa Lang Crestline Elementary School Hartselle City District II Timothy Dollar Wilmer Elementary School Mobile County District III Lucile Prewitt Oakdale Elementary School Tuscaloosa City

District IV Alice Turney Riverchase Elementary School Hoover City

District V Allison Alexander Corley Elementary School Boaz City

District VI Margaret Jones Edgewood Elementary School Selma City

District VII Karen Snyder Cary Woods Elementary School Auburn City

District VIII Jenny Breazeale Elberta Elementary School Baldwin County District IX Tamika Fleming Heard Elementary School Dothan City

The Alabama National Distinguished Principal program is the state recognition program of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal program. The Alabama program is sponsored by AAESA and Classworks.

THANK ALABAMA TEACHERS

Dr. Eric Mackey Alabama State Superintendent of Education

For the last couple of years, the Alabama State Department of Education, along with the Office of Governor Kay Ivey, has acknowledged “Thank Alabama Teachers” week as an observation that puts a specific spotlight on the work and commitment of Alabama educators. This year, we want to extend that observation throughout the entire month of November, as we continue the tradition of setting aside time to say a simple, “thank you” to our teachers. Alabama teachers are the drivers of our state’s economy, the protectors of our state’s most valuable resource, and the preparers of our state’s future. The sacrifice and dedication that teachers show in Alabama classrooms every day is invaluable. Still, this recognition is but a small token of our appreciation for the countless hours that teachers have committed to the cause of an educated workforce and society.

standards and make sure students are knowledgeable about the disciplines they must know to be successful after high school, often it’s the advice, encouragement, support, and guidance that teachers provide that impacts their lives as much as anything that comes from a book.

Too often overlooked, educators keep the gears turning on the economic engine of our nation. More than just reading, writing, and arithmetic; teachers impact our students in many ways and often set the tone for the experiences our children have throughout their formative years in school. In fact, although teachers teach the

While there is no amount of monetary compensation that could adequately pay teachers for the difference their work makes, I do encourage everyone to be intentional about recognizing, supporting, and thanking Alabama teachers. Often a kind word or a friendly gesture is enough to make a teacher feel appreciated. I encourage parents to take a moment to reach out to your child’s teacher and tell them how much the nurturing environment their child learns in is appreciated. Social media is a predominate form of communication these days. I encourage everyone to take to social media to express how much you appreciate your local school and the people who make that school run every day.

Whether you send a hand-written note to school by your child, send a message through social media, or use any of the apps now available to communicate with teachers, please be intentional about giving teachers an encouraging word. It doesn’t have to be your child’s teacher. Throughout any given LEA, it is a network of individuals who make the entire school work seamlessly. Contributions from coaches, administrators, counselors, nurses, support staff, parents, and others work collectively to create a beautiful tapestry of learning and growing. All these positions are in place to support the job of the star player, the indispensable individual, the one who creates the magic – the classroom teacher.

As we work to put the impact that COVID-19 had on our lives and communities in the rearview mirror, let us not forget one of the most valuable lessons of the entire pandemic… we need Alabama teachers. Through unimaginable circumstances, our teachers used innovation, grit, and pure determination to continue to educate children through unforeseen and challenging circumstances. For many, it was the darkest parts of the COVID experience that brought to mind how incredibly important and vital teachers are to life as we know it. Let’s all make sure we THANK ALABAMA TEACHERS; not only for the designated month that we observe and celebrate teachers in Alabama, but all year long.

A SUSPENDED STUDENT RETURNED TO SCHOOL & CHARGED WITH TRESPASSING

LEGAL forum

X.B. was a student in a Florida middle school, who was involved in an incident with another student during physical education class and was sent to the dean of students. The dean of students told X.B. he was suspended from school that day, and that he was not to return from school until a parent or guardian came to the school. The dean gave X.B. an exclusionary letter to give to his parent, which included the admonition not to return until a parent or guardian came to the school. X.B. came back to school the next morning, and when he returned to his physical education class, he was arrested for trespassing. This commentary arises from the court record for X.B. v. State, 337 So.3d 99, 402 Educ. L. Rep. 1245 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2021).

Because X.B. was a minor, the charge against him was heard in an adjudicatory hearing in a juvenile trial court. Florida has a statute that criminalizes trespassing on school property, which reads as follows:

(1) Any person who: (a) Does not have legitimate business on the campus or any other authorization, license, or invitation to enter or remain upon school property; or (b) Is a student under suspension or expulsion; and who enters or remains upon the campus or any other facility owned by any such school commits a trespass upon the grounds of a school facility and is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Section § 810.097(1) FLA. STAT. (2020).

X.B.’s mother testified that she had not received the exclusionary letter and that the school had not called

Dr. Dave Dagley Professor Emeritus, University of Alabama and Dr. Amy Dagley Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham

her. She further testified that X.B. had told her that he could not go to school the next day unless she met with school officials, but she did not believe him and nonetheless had someplace else she needed to be, so she dropped him at school the next day. X.B.’s attorney argued that in those circumstances, the state had failed to prove that X.B. was actually suspended at the time of trespass, and had also failed to prove that he “willfully” entered or remained on school grounds. The trial court did not accept that argument, but withheld adjudication and placed X.B. on probation for six months. X.B. appealed.

The appeals court affirmed the decision of the trial court. The dean of students had addressed X.B. and directed him verbally that he was suspended, and the exclusionary letter was unnecessary to prove that X.B. was suspended. The dean of students’ testimony that he had advised X.B. that he was suspended was competent, substantial evidence that X.B. was indeed suspended. X.B.’s attorney had also argued that X.B. had not created the situation, when he was dropped off at school by his mother. The appeals court pointed out that the statute does not use the word “willfully,” so it wasn’t necessary to prove that X.B. intended to commit a trespass.

We selected this case for comment because neither of us recall seeing a case about trespass in a school, committed by a student who has been excluded from school by suspension. No doubt such cases have occurred and may be common, and in our school law courses we have frequently suggested that criminal

trespassing statutes can be used to bar troublesome members of the public, including students, for example, from sporting events. One explanation may be that such situations do occur, but cases in state trial courts, especially those serving to adjudicate minors in juvenile courts, are not reported in the national reporting system. This case appeared in the system when it reached an appellate court.

Note that this case involves a Florida state law specifically for trespass in a school building. We do not know how many states have similar laws, but a quick search found such laws in just a few states. Alabama does not have a trespassing law for trespass in a school building, but it does have the Charles “Chuck” Poland, Jr., Act, which makes it a Class A misdemeanor for a person to trespass on a school bus, damage a school bus, refuse to leave a school bus, or impede the operation of a school bus. Section § 13A7-4.2 Code of Alabama (1975). The Alabama statute most likely to apply to situations where a person might have been banned from a school is criminal trespass in the third degree, Section § 13A-7-4 Code of Alabama (1975). That statute is written to say “a person is guilty of criminal trespass in the third degree when he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises.” A companion definitions statute explains that “A person ‘enters or remains unlawfully’ in or upon premises when the person is not licensed, invited, or privileged to do so. A person who, regardless of his intent, enters or remains in or upon premises which are at the time open to the public does so with license and privilege unless he defies a lawful order not to enter or remain, personally communicated to him by the owner of such premises or other authorized person.”

Section § 13A-7-1(3) Code of Alabama (1975). This is identified as a “violation,” for which a court could punish the person with up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $200.

The U.S. Supreme Court addressed student exclusions from school (suspensions and expulsions) in Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975). Suspensions are removal from school for ten days or less; expulsions are removal for a time period of more than ten school

days. Suspensions require only minimal due process and may be accomplished by a certified school administrator. The due process necessary to suspend a student is very simple: (1) the school administrator gives oral or written notice of the charges against the student; (2) the student has an opportunity to present his side of the story; (3) the school administrator explains the evidence against the student. Expulsions require substantially more procedural steps and require an action by the school board to accomplish. The court in Goss did not list the steps required for an expulsion, but courts in various states have identified the following procedural steps for an expulsion: (1) notice in writing of the intent to expel; (2) notice in writing of a hearing before the school board; (3) right to counsel; (4) an expectation of impartiality on the part of the school board as a hearing body; (5) a right to subpoena and call witnesses; (6) right to a record of the proceedings; (7) vote by the school board.

School administrators should be alert to an important point: the first step in an effective suspension and the first step in prosecuting an effective trespass case against a student who wrongly returns to school during the suspension are exactly the same step. The school administrator must give notice to the student. Another important point is that neither the Supreme Court in Goss nor the Alabama Legislature in trespass law requires that the notice must be in writing. In Alabama a school board certainly has the authority to require a school administrator to give notice both verbally and in writing, but that would be for other reasons, such as seeking parental involvement or for safety or planning purposes, but not for due process reasons. One concerning fact not adequately addressed by the Florida court was that the exclusionary letter given to X.B. instructed that the child was not allowed to attend school until a parent or guardian came to school. A better way to phrase it would be to instruct that the student is suspended for the rest of this school day and ____ more days, or less upon a conference with the parent or guardian. An indeterminate length of time, controlled completely by the parent or guardian, may later be a problem for adjudicating a possible truancy claim, and arguably for a successful trespassing claim.

Find out how FuelEd can help you light up learning for each and every student—whether they are on the fast track or falling behind—with personalized online and blended solutions.

Dr. Jeffrey D. Cornelius Professor of Education & Department Chair

University

of North Alabama

Students’ Motivation

ON NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (NAEP)

Do students’ motivation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) vary based on the grade levels? To answer this question, I will first discuss research grounded in this area. In addition, I will share some practical leadership strategies that assisted me during my career as a school-based principal. What is NAEP? According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) (ED/ IES) and Hager Sharp (2022), NAEP is defined as follows:

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is an integral measure of academic progress across the nation and over time. It is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what our nation’s

students know and can do in various subjects such as civics, mathematics, reading, and U.S. history. (p. 1)

Related Studies

A recent student demonstrated sharp differences among students’ motivation for NAEP in grades 4, 8 and 12 (LaFave et al., 2022). Moreover, this same study suggested that some of the older students did not feel it was important to do well on the NAEP. In fact, 86% of grade 4 students stated that it was “important” or “very important” to do well on the test compared with 59% of grade 8 students and 35% of grade 12 students (LaFave et al., 2022). These results are not surprising if you have reviewed research related to student motivation. Based on these findings, would it be correct to assume

that student motivation on high stakes assessments may be undermined as students’ progress through grade levels? If so, it may be worthwhile to explore student motivation within a particular school setting or perhaps school district, and thus reflect on what changes may need to occur to enhance student motivation with the ultimate goal to increase achievement levels on high stakes assessments.

McCutchen et al. (2016) conducted a longitudinal study of 419 students in grades 3-6 from 28 classrooms located in seven schools over a three semester period that examined the relationship between students’ mindset and their standardized test performance over time. The results of this study demonstrated that initial mindset has an impact on students’ academic achievement, with students

who initially reported a more growth oriented mindset having a slower decline on test scores than students with a more fixed mindset. This study provided evidence that a growth mindset can hamper the decrease of standardized test scores. So, how do you cultivate a more growth oriented mindset? McCutchen et al. (2016) suggest through teacher–student interactions, the classroom environment can affect students’ mindsets and academic achievement. If this topic interests you, you may wish to explore research conducted by Carol Dweck. Dr. Dweck is an American psychologist at Stanford University and has conducted extensive research in motivation.

Practical Experience

As a previous building-based school principal, I want to share some practical strategies that you may wish to consider if your students are not performing as well as expected on high stakes assessments. Listed below are practical strategies that may assist you in this area.

• Educate yourself on a growth oriented mindset and students’ motivation to learn. Review the work of other professionals who have studied these topics. Drs. Jere Brophy and Carol Dweck are pioneers in this research.

• Educate yourself on what successful studentteacher interactions look like. For example, what kind of student-teacher interaction fosters a growth oriented mindset?

• Recognize that students’ motivation may be weakened as students progress through different grade levels. As a result, review research with a focus on how to enhance intrinsic motivation as students’ progress through grade levels.

• Collaborate with other colleagues and mentors. Book studies, professional meetings, and roundtable discussions are great ways to promote meaningful discussion.

Dr. Brenda Mendiola

The University of Alabama

EXPANDED PROGRAM for ASPIRING SCHOOL LEADERS

a professional development program aimed at preparing aspiring administrators for their first administrative position.

If you are a reader of Dr. Vic Wilson’s Friday Update, you know Vic likes to post a trivia question now and then. Here’s a question for Dr. Wilson’s trivia treasure trove. What newly designed professional development program is represented by the acronym ASLA?

A few hints can be found in the following:

In 2018, educational leaders from three organizations – CLAS, The University of Alabama, and Auburn University, met to discuss the professional development needs of aspiring Alabama administrators. Aspiring administrators are those who have completed an instructional leadership program, have obtained their Alabama Class A Instructional Leadership Certificate, and for one reason or another, have not yet entered the principalship. The convening leaders proposed a partnership where the three entities, rather than working as competitors, worked as partners to design and deliver

The partners held the first of two annual sessions in January of 2019 in Montgomery. Led by Auburn University faculty with assistance from past Auburn graduates and UA faculty, the session was a big success. The second session, also a big success, was held in Hoover and was led primarily by faculty from The University of Alabama with assistance from UA graduates and some of the state’s outstanding principals and assistant principals. The sessions consisted of a principal panel, sessions on letter and resume writing and effective interviewing techniques and selecting and working with a mentor. At the end of each session, members of the partnering entities reviewed input from the participants and following the cycle of continuous improvement, tweaked the plans for the next session. Fast forward to 2022 when the most recent sessions were held at Troy University in Montgomery (led by Auburn faculty) and The Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy in Tuscaloosa (led by UA faculty).

Each year, participants asked for more information, longer sessions with the presenters, and the opportunity to attend each breakout session rather than being forced to choose from among topics. Once again, leaders from the three organizations convened to consider the requests of the participants and to plan. They asked, “What if the conference became an academy that spanned months rather than one day?”

After months of planning, the Alabama School Leaders Academy was formalized and will become a reality with the first in- person session held on the Troy Campus, Montgomery, Alabama in October. The October session will be followed by virtual sessions in November, January, February, and April with the academy ending with a full-day session at the Troy Campus, Montgomery in May. Topics include mentoring, wellness for administrators, crucial conversations, working with special

populations, understanding the board policy process, supervision of curriculum and instructing using the Alabama Teacher Observation Tool, data-informed decision-making, how to get and keep a job, tenure laws and documentation and will include role plays, work-based scenarios, and mock interviews. Faculty from Auburn University and The University of Alabama as well as CLAS professionals and leading practitioners in the field will lead the sessions.

Enrollment was limited to the first 75 to register and best of all, the $274 enrollment fee is covered by the Alabama State Department of Education.

CLAS, UA, and Auburn welcome ASDE as a new partner in the Aspiring School Leaders Academy. We look forward to the expanded program and the opportunities the program will provide to aspiring school leaders in Alabama.

Collegiate Composition Continued

• Analyze and reflect on student achievement data in your own school.

• Create school-wide action plans to address areas that need improvement.

• Provide teachers with resources to help them be successful.

• Remove barriers that may undermine student achievement. This could be time, interruptions, or location.

References

LaFave, A. J., Taylor, J. A., Barter, A. M., & Jacobs, A. S. (2022). Student Engagement on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Extant Research. Educational Assessment, 27(3), 205–228. https://doi.org/10 .1080/10627197.2022.2043151

McCutchen, K. L., Jones, M. H., Carbonneau, K. J., & Mueller, C. E. (2016). Mindset and standardized testing over time. Learning and Individual Differences, 45, 208–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. lindif.2015.11.027

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) (ED/IES) & Hager Sharp. (2022). NAEP 2022 Facts for Districts (National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Assessment Division, 8th Floor, 1990 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006. Tel: 202-502-7400; Fax: 202502-7440; Web site: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/; National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)). National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

Ethically Speaking

Mark Boardman Attorney Boardman, Carr, Petelos, Watkins & Ogle P.C.

Inheritance Is n ot an e thics a ct Violation

All of us have seen lots of scary things for Halloween. Have you ever considered whether you can be “corruptly influenced” from the graveyard?

Perhaps one of the more difficult sections of the Alabama Ethics Act is what gifts you can and cannot accept as a public official or a public employee. In previous Ethically Speaking articles, we have discussed gifts for Christmas, wedding gifts, and football tickets.1 The Ethics Act prohibits a public official or public employee from accepting a gift from someone the public employee inspects, regulates, or supervises in his or her official capacity.2 The Ethics Act intends to prevent gifts from corruptly influencing official action.

Regarding educators, the Alabama Ethics Commission wrote in 2011:

The suggestion that it is harmless for a school child to give a Christmas gift to their teacher ignores the potential for abuse.

Suppose for example that a Junior High

1 See Vol. 47, No. 4 The Ethics Act and Christmas Gifts (Fall 2019), Vol. 48, No. 1 The Ethics Act and Wedding Gifts (Winter 2020), Vol. 49, No. 3 Accepting Tickets from Vendors (Summer 2021), and Vol. 49, Issue 4 Accepting Tickets Part 2 (Fall 2021)

2 Alabama Code Section 36-25-5(a)

School child is struggling and hopes by giving a nice gift to the teacher, the teacher will reward them with a better grade. Or that the High School Senior who is attempting to get into a quality college, does the same thing.

Finally, what of a college senior who is attempting to get into Harvard Law School?

These examples illustrate the potential for abuse. What started off as a simple gift now may be attempting to corruptly influence official action.3

The Alabama Legislature specifically carved out an exception for anything you, as a public official or a public employee, receive through inheritance. Specifically, the Legislature decided that a “thing of value” does not include an inheritance. The Legislature wrote, “Nothing in this chapter [the Alabama Ethics Act] shall be deemed to limit, prohibit, or otherwise require disclosure of gifts through inheritance received by a public employee or public official.”4

Without this provision in the law, one might question whether a public official or employee could inherit from their own family, let alone someone he or she supervised, inspected, or regulated. This statute also displays common sense, because a dead person cannot benefit from an attempt to “corruptly influence” official action.

Thus, from football tickets to gifts to bank accounts full of cash, you, as a public official or a public employee, can inherit.

3 Alabama Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion No. 2011-12, page 16.

4 Alabama Code Section 36-25-1(34)(c)

CLAS Board of Directors

President Bob Lawry

Director of Student Services, Hoover City Schools

Chris McCullar CLAS President-Elect

Donald Turner, Jr. CLAS Past President

Stan Stokley AAESA Director

Charles Gardner AAESA Director

Waller Martin AAESA Director

Veronica Coleman AAESA Director Dilhani Uswatte AAESA Director

Margaret Jones AAESA Director

James Rainey AAESA Director

Dana Bottoms AAESA Director

Tony Sanders

AAMSP Director

Cassandra Anderson AAMSP Director

Andy Carpenter AAMSP Director

Casey Davis AAPASS Director

Bobby Jackson AAPASS Director

Amanda Hood AAPASS Director

Tamala Maddox AAMSP Director

Chris McCullar ACTA Director Connie Davis ACTA Director Richard Templeton ALA504 Director

Annie Spike ALA-CASE Director Courtney Utsey ALA-CASE Director

Charla DeLeo ALA-CASE Director

Stefanie Underwood ALA-EL Director

Charles Ledbetter SSA Director

Suzanne Lacey SSA Director

Timothy Thurman SSA Director

Christie Finley SSA Director

Aaron Milner SSA Director

Carrie Busby AASSP Director

David Diaz AASSP Director

Jason Goodwin AASSP Director

Seth Taylor AASSP Director

Melinda Bonner ACND Director

Wes Rogers AASSP Director

Patrick Chappell AASCD Director

Carlos Nelson AASCD Director

Justin Hefner AASCD Director

Chris Mitten AASCD Director

Ashley Catrett AASCD Director

Lisa Beckham AASCD Director

Evelyn Nettles-Hines AASCD Director Allison Mays AASPA Director

David Asbury AASPA Director

Antjuan Marsh AASSP Director

Brian Clayton AASSP Director

Bennie Shellhouse AASSP Director

Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities

Visit clasleaders.org/events for more information and registration

LEArn and LEAd: Madison, AL

LEArn and LEAd: Selma, AL

CLAS Secretaries Conference: Huntsville, AL

Alabama 504 Coordinators Conference: Birmingham, AL

CLAS Lunch & Learn: Be Present. Be Curious. Try Concious Discipline? Webinar

CLAS Leadership Institute: Special Education Daphne, AL

CLAS Leadership Institute: Special Education Prattville, AL and Virtual

CLAS Leadership Institute: Special Education Huntsville, AL

AASCD Winter Conference: Location TBD

CLAS Assistant Principals Conference: Mobile, AL

AASPA Winter Conference: Montgomery, AL

CLAS Lunch & Learn: Encouraging Character Among Adults Webinar

CLAS Culture Training Day 1 of 2: Montevallo, AL

CLAS Leadership Institute: High Reliability Schools Prattville, AL and Virtual

ACGAL Grading Conference: Birmingham, AL

LEArn and LEAd: Birmingham, AL

LEArn and LEAd: Auburn, AL

CLAS Assistant Principals Conference: Birmingham, AL

ALA-EL Winter Conference: Tuscaloosa, AL

CLAS Assistant Principals Conference: Prattville, AL

ALA-CASE Spring Conference: Birmingham, AL

CLAS Lunch & Learn: Working with Children with Neurological Disorders Webinar

CLAS Leadership Institute: Teaching Social and Emotional Skills through (Not Instead of!) Daily Academics Daphne, AL

AAPASS Spring Conference: Mobile, AL

CLAS Leadership Institute: Teaching Social and Emotional Skills through (Not Instead of!) Daily Academics Prattville, AL and Virtual

CLAS Lunch & Learn: Upping Your D and I Game: Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace Webinar

CLAS Leadership Institute: Educational Technology Integration Daphne, AL

CLAS Leadership Institute: Educational Technology Integration Prattville, AL and Virtual

CLAS Leadership Institute: Educational Technology Integration Florence, AL

CLAS Leadership Institute: Teaching Social and Emotional Skills through (Not Instead of!) Daily Academics Hoover, AL

CLAS Law Conference: Prattville, AL

CLAS Culture Training Day 2 of 2: Location TBD

CLAS Lunch & Learn: Winding Down & Warming Up: ALSDE Instructional Updates to Transition to the 2023-2024 School Year Webinar

ACND Spring Meeting: Gulf Shores, AL

ACND Spring Meeting: Gulf Shores, AL

33HelpME

Panic Alert Button -- The NEXT STEP in school safety America’s Favorite, Fastest and Easiest way to call for HELP in classrooms.

Barry Peterson (813) 822-0045 info@33systems.net www.33helpme.com

ACCESS Virtual Learning

ACCESS Virtual Learning is the distant education program for the State of Alabama. ACCESS provides infrastructure that delivers equitable, quality learning opportunities for all students.

Casey Mack (334) 808-6323 adent@troy.edu www.accessdl.state.al.us

AIG Retirement Services

Financial Planning and Retirement Services

Mark Briones (205) 967-8974 andrea.zari@aig.com www.aigrs.com

Alabama Music Hall of Fame Museum

Haley Schrieber 256-381-4417 hschrieber@alamhof.org www.alamhof.org

American Fidelity Assurance

Since 1960, American Fidelity has focused on providing a different opinion for school districts and currently serves 4,300 districts across the country. 205-847-2762 john.cole@americanfidelity.com www.americanfidelity.com

Apptegy

Apptegy simplifies and improves schools’ communications and helps you change how the public thinks and feels about your school.

Samantha Bentley (501) 472-5636 samantha.bentley@apptegy.com apptegy.com

Aunt Flow

Toilet paper is offered for free. Why aren’t tampons and pads?

Alexis Deeb (518) 522-9423 alexis@goauntflow.com goauntflow.com

Background Investigation Bureau

We Help You Create Safer Environments with Background Checks, Drug Testing and Occupation Health Services.

Jennifer Drake (877) 439-3900 jdrake@bib.com www.bib.com

Bailey Education Group, LLC

Bailey Education Group is committed to partnering with all schools and districts to improve the lives of all children through customized PD and teacher coaching.

Pat Ross (601) 707-5778 info@baileyarch.com baileyeducationgroup.com

BBB Educational Enterprises, Inc.

BBB is a leading educational professional development as well as instructional material provider in the state of Alabama supporting literacy and mathematics.

Brian Rhodes (205) 529-6925 brian.rhodes@bbbedu.com https://bbbedu.com/

Bill Miller Photographers

We provide full-service photographic solutions for your school. Other services include cap and gown, composites, ID badges, yearbooks and so much more.

Bill Miller 800-523-5960 50ddockery@gmail.com www.billmillerphotographers.com

BlueStreak Math

BlueStreak Math is an adaptive real-time, multi-player gaming environment of fluency lessons students build the capacity for higher-level mathematics through continuous motivation, coaching, and feedback.”

Jan Letts (630) 915-3171

jan@bluestreakmath.com Bluestreakmath.com

Camp Explore for Educators, LLC

Camp Explore is designed for educators to experience research-based, instructional strategies for high engagement, while focusing on mental fitness and wellness.

Jennibelle Williams (614) 824-7949

jennibelle@campexploreinfo.com www.campexploreinfo.com

Campus Benefits

Campus Benefits is a full-service employee benefits brokerage/consulting and compliance firm serving public school districts across the southeast focused on delivering innovative products and services. (866) 433-7661 jtupper@campusbenefits.com www.campusbenefits.com

CardFunder

CardFunder is an innovative and easy fundraising platform that allows schools to accept unused or partially used gift cards and turn them into cash donations.

Russ Howard (404) 433-7834 russ@cardfunder.com www.cardfunder.com

Carnegie Learning

With the highest-quality offerings for K-12 math, ELA, world languages, professional learning, and more, Carnegie Learning is changing the way we think about learning.

Amanda Creswell 888-851-7094 acreswell@carnegielearning.com carnegielearning.com

Changemaker

Fundraising platform for schools where you can donate your digital spare change to the school of your choice.

Jake Lacy (404) 660-6741 kathryn@hellodonor.com www.joinchangemaker.com

Classworks

Classworks is a cloud-based, comprehensive RTI/MTSS program that includes assessment, instruction, progress monitoring, SEL and PBIS resources, and reporting. David Constantine 251-545-9903 dconstantine@classworks.com https://www.curriculumadvantage.com/classworks

Cognia

We are a global network featuring a continuous improvement approach that encompasses accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and customized improvement services.

Jeff Wooten and Jeff Langham (334) 201-5763 jeff.langham@cognia.org cognia.org

Curriculum Associates

Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools.

Kelly-Ann Parson 205-949-7744 kparson@cainc.com www.curriculumassociates.com

DreamBox Learning

DreamBox Learning uniquely provides schools highquality adaptive math and reading learning solutions independently proven to accelerate student growth. For more information, visit www.dreambox.com.

Tevin Jones (187) 745-1784 events@dreambox.com https://www.dreambox.com/

E3 Strategic Solutions, LLC

We provide strategic and developmental consulting services to educational, non-profit and governmental organizations. Our service umbrellas include strategic planning, leadership solutions, funding solutions, and executive searches.

Darrell Cooper (334) 209-8050 info@e3strategicsolutions.com www.e3strategicsolutions.com

Edmentum

K-12 digital curriculum, assessments, & instructional services

Cynthia Chancery (800) 447-5286 nikeisha.nickels@edmentum.com www.edmentum.com

Educate, LLC

Innovation and transformation coaching-activating communities to spark meaningful change through teacher-centered, job-embedded support.

Julie Emory-Johnson (205) 835-1508 jjohnson@educatellc.com www.educatellc.com

Education Materials Specialists

Assessment and Intervention Software

Aubrey Corley (601) 624-5051 holly@edmat.com www.edmat.com

Elkay / VCM Sales, Inc

Essential water delivery products, hands-free faucets, bottle water stations.

William Cone (205) 324-0669 billcone@vcmsales.com http://vcmsales.com/

Firelight Materials

We provide strategic and developmental consulting services to educational nonprofit, and governmental organizations. Our specialty areas include strategic planning, leadership solutions, and funding solutions.

DeeDee Holmes (225) 933-1627 holmes.deedee@gmail.com Firelightbooks.com

FlexPoint Education Cloud

(Florida Virtual School)

FlexPoint Educational Cloud™ is an internationally recognized, full-service Kindergarten-12th grade online education leader that delivers comprehensive and effective digital courses to schools and districts worldwide.

Biff McCabe (407) 212-1670 bmccabe@flexpointeducation.com www.FlexPointEducation.com

FOCUS Program

FOCUS empowers students in Grades 7-12 to successfully lead the prevention of adolescent risk behaviors through skills-based learning.

Sue Jones (256) 453-0655 sjones@thefocusprogram.com thefocusprogram.com

Fun and Function

Discover our ActiveMind Program for K-12 educators! Classroom tools, sensory spaces and interactive training support your goals. Ask about our special offer for CLAS @FunandFunction.com Golda Itzinger (800) 231-6329 zhirsch@funandfunction.com Funandfunction.com

Great Southern Recreation

We design, sell and build commercial playgrounds, splashpads, site amenities, pavilions and sunshades.

Abby Vance (800) 390-8438 info@greatsouthernrec.com greatsouthernrec.com

Horace Mann Companies

Founded in 1945, Horace Mann offers affordable auto and home insurance, as well as retirement strategies and financial wellness education.

Amber Ash (512) 808-3208 amber.ash@horacemann.com horacemann.com

Imagine Learning

Imagine Learning a PreK–12 digital learning solutions company that ignites learning breakthroughs with forward-thinking solutions, including Imagine Edgenuity, Imagine Learning, LearnZillion, StudySync, and Twig Education.

Steve Santora (404) 808-7782 tracey.milhouse@imaginelearning.com www.imaginelearning.com

Interior Elements

School Furniture Supplier with on staff interior designers that can redesign any of your classroom, library, cafe, etc spaces to enhance the overall learning environment.

Dan Chappell 334-332-9708 dc@in-elements.com www.in-elements.com

IXL Learning

Interior Elements

IXL is personalized learning. With a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, individualized guidance, and real-time analytics, IXL meets the unique needs of each learner.

David Mickelsen (256) 566-5545 phaldeman@ixl.com www.IXL.com

Jumpstart Test Prep

Jumpstart’s unique preparation approach was crafted by experts and designed to empower students to gain the most improvement in the least amount of review time.

Sha Walker (833) 835-8329 hannah@jumpstarttestprep.com jumpstarttestprep.com

Kelly Education

Kelly Education is the number one (1) provider of substitute teachers for school districts in Alabama and across the United States.

Jason Yohn (334) 614-5078 jason.yohn@kellyservices.com www.kellyeducation.com

Kids First Education

Greg Cobb 601-765-5437 gregcobb@kidsfirst.llc

Kloud-12

Kloud-12 is 360 HD classroom video, perfected. Hybrid, distance, or traditional, teachers can do it all with a single camera device. Observe, reflect, and improve.

Melissa Mastrofrancesco (888) 498-8416

®

Illuminate Education

Illuminate Education combines comprehensive assessment and MTSS management to monitor learning and growth, identify needs, align targeted supports, and accelerate learning for all students.

Geb Bul (949) 656-3133 jrowley@illuminateed.net www.illuminateed.com

Melissa@kloud-12.com www.Kloud-12.com

Lathan Architects

Lathan Arhcitects is a full design architectural firm. Our deep connection to each other and our clients is paramount in all we do.

Carol Coleman 205-988-9112 ccoleman@lathanassociates.com www.lathanassociatesarchitects.com

MASA MTS

MASA protects members against emergent ground and emergent air ambulance bills regardless of the ground or air ambulance provider used.

Lisa Cassady-Lee (270) 925-7508

lcassadylee@masamts.com www.MASAmts.com

Move This World - PK - 12 SEL Curriculum

The leading social-emotional skills curricula: evidencebased, developmentally appropriate multimedia experiences for schools and families.

OnToCollege

OnToCollege provides Alabama schools with fun, engaging online ACT prep courses, designed to be implemented during the school day. Help your students join the 5-Point-Jump-Club!

Roger Ried (870) 834-7635 roger@ontocollege.com www.ontocollege.com

Parent Teacher Store USA

LeanStream Resource Partners, LLC

LeanStream’s fundraising + e-commerce platform helps schools, districts and supporting organizations increase supplemental revenue through online crowdfunding, an e-marketplace, digital ticketing, fee administration & more.

Luci Ray (205) 732-0088 jtaylor@leanstreamrp.com leanstreamrp.com

LEGO Education

Rethink STEAM learning and spark joy in the classroom. With the LEGO® Learning System, students’ knowledge, skills, and confidence grow along with love of learning.

Felicia Bustle (843) 290-3526 felicia.bustle@lego.com education.lego.com/en-us

Lexia Learning

Lexia and Voyager Sopris have united to bring Alabama educators the best personalized literacy instruction and professional development that is grounded in the Science of Reading.

Laura Woolf (978) 405-6232 megan.curdy@lexialearning.com www.lexialearning.com

Lifetouch School Photography and Yearbooks

School Portraits and Yearbooks

Bryan McCarter (256) 534-1001 bmccarter@lifetouch.com www.lifetouch.com

Madison

City Schools / ACCESS

ACCESS Virtual Learning (Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide), is an initiative of the Alabama Department of Education.

Maria Kilgore (256) 464-8370 lbbarrett@madisoncity.k12.al.us https://accessdl.state.al.us/

Majestic Caverns

America’s Most Historic Caverns and World Heritage site is the perfect educational field trip destination with curriculum matching educational experiences for grades K-12.

Joy Sorensen (256) 378-7252 joy@majesticcaverns.com https://majesticcaverns.com/

Beth Mayeaux (601) 717-2365 bmayeaux@movethisworld.com www.movethisworld.com

National Math and Science Initiative

National Math and Science Initiative’s Alabama Rural Learning Accelerator (ARLA) provides solutions for your STEM teachers staffing through technology integration.

Florence Williams (205) 246-3813 fwilliams@nms.org https://www.nms.org/

Nearpod

Engaging media and formative assessments to make every lesson interactive.

Matt Quintana (305) 677-5030 drew.bedurah@nearpod.com nearpod.com

Neurologic Performance Group (NPG)

Neurologic Performance Group (NPG) advances concussion care through mobile baseline testing, diagnosis, recovery, and research. NPG supports mental health initiatives alongside our co-founder Mark Hilinski.

Mark Hilinski (334) 300-9880 mhilinski@neurologicperformancegroup.com

NeuroMaker STEM

NeuroMaker is a STEM kit that teaches students skills in coding, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, robotics, and more.

Steven Goldblatt (732) 927-3960 steven.goldblatt@gmail.com https://neuromakerstem.com

Office of Prosecution Services

HERO, a Certified Facility Dog Program created by the Office of Prosecution Services utilizes Facility Dogs to reduce anxiety for victims including mass victimization incidents.

Trisha Mellberg Cater (205) 223-3672 trisha.mellberg@alabamada.gov alabamada.gov

OKIN Educate

24/7 On-Demand access to tutors so your K-12 students learn when inspiration strikes, get academic support when curiosity calls, or when they just get stuck.

Pam McAuley (813) 310-9621 pencarrowconsulting@gmail.com OKINEducate.com

Locally owned, we offer educators a unique assortment of over 15,000 of the newest and best educational tools and services since 1996.

Tom Lamkin (205) 979-7222 tom@parentteacherstoreusa.com www.parentteacherstoreusa.com

Personal Finance Lab

Meeting your needs of Career Prep courses through a virtual money management and investment trading platform, learning resources, career survey and selfpacing course.

Paul Vasey (714) 679-6600 pvasey@stocktrak.com https://www.personalfinancelab.com/

Playworld Preferred

Manufacturer of playground equipment, outdoor fitness equipment, shades and site furnishings.

Jeff Wingo (205) 222-2680 jeff.wingo@playworldpreferred.com playworld.com

PowerSchool

PowerSchool’s mission is to power the education ecosystem with unified technology that helps educators and students realize their full potential in their own way. Jenny Scott 251-656-1397 ciera.leidheisl@powerschool.com www.powerschool.com

PowerUpEDU

Focused on education & achievement, delivering interactive technology solutions and coaching for classrooms while creating fun & engaging learning environments.

Jerry Gaillard (888) 517-3824 debbie@powerupedu.com powerupedu.com

Presentation Solutions, Inc.

We are the company who sells the full-color indoor/ outdoor ColorPro Poster Printers, the Recognizer ULTRA Award System & the CoolLam non-heat and non-electric laminator!

Steven Sanders (800) 280-7809 steven@presentationsolutions.com presentationsolutions.com

Publishers’ Warehouse

Publishers’ Warehouse is Alabama’s one-stop shop for digital (EBSCOed) and print textbooks and instructional materials for K-12 schools in Alabama.

Patrick Chappell (205) 516-5821 pchappell@ebsco.com publisherswarehouse.com

Reach University

Reach University turns your school into a college campus for classroom aides and other school staff. Turn your paraprofessionals into teachers with Reach’s job-embedded BA.

Joe Ross (650) 274-8688 accounting@reach.edu www.reach.edu

Reading Horizons

Reading Horizons empowers teachers with an explicit phonics curriculum that helps all K-3 students build a solid fouundation in reading and spelling.

Nate Smeding 801-971-3693 nate.smeding@readinghorizons.com www.readinghorizons.com

Recreational

Concepts, LLC

Playground equipment, site amenities, pavilions, surfacing, splash pad

Kurt Halter (205) 202-8677 melanie@rec-concepts.com www.rec-concepts.com

Renaissance

Renaissance is a global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts. We provide educators with resources to accelerate student growth.

Karen Winn 800-338-4204 karen.winn@renaissance.com www.renaissance.com

Rhithm, Inc.

Rhithm brings data, regulation practices, and well-being lessons into districts, campuses, and classrooms, in a simple way, without interfering with their academic goals.

Jake Gannon (617) 794-2684 jada@rhithm.app rhithm.app

Samford University School of Education

Samford University School of Education Graduate Programs

Marcie Harchuck (205) 726-4337 mjparson@samford.edu samford.edu

Scholastic Inc

Learning, discovery, imagination is Scholastic‘s mission. It is built on that special moment a child finds the right book and discovers a world of possible.

Ms. Lee Berlin (205) 209-2406 lberlin@gmail.com www.scholastic.com

SchoolsPLP/UMA Education Solutions

SchoolsPLP has 550+ online PreK-12 aligned courses that cover core, honors, AP, credit recovery, electives, CTE and has a management system that integrates with PowerSchool.

Eric Moon (770) 789-1941 emoon@umaed.com schoolsplp.com

Stride Learning Solutions

Stride Learning Solutions provides flexible online and blended learning programs that empower students to realize their potential.

Bill Hueur (732) 600-3863 biheuer@k12.com https://stridels.com/learning-solutions/

Learning Solutions

Studies Weekly

Studies Weekly creates award-winning K-6 elementary social studies, science, and well-being curriculum uniquely presented in a periodical format that pairs with an online learning platform.

Kirby Weaver (866) 311-8734 conferences@studiesweekly.com https://www.studiesweekly.com

Synergetics DCS

Your complete turnkey provider of Educational technology solutions.

Grace Strahan (877) 825-6602 marketing@syndcs.com www.SYNDCS.com

Teachers of Tomorrow

Alabama Teachers of Tomorrow is a state-approved approach for candidates seeking a Conditional Certificate in a Teaching Field (CCTF). Our approach is flexible and self-paced.

Stephanie James (713) 458-1660 stephanie@teachersoftomorrow.org www.teachersoftomorrow.org/alabama

Terrell Enterprises, Inc.

We provide school furniture, equipment, supplies and learning resources along with turn-key solutions and services for the PreK-12 market.

Al Brannon 334-382-7415 purchasing@terrellenterprises.com www.terrellenterprises.com

The Alabama Best Practices Center

The Alabama Best Practices Center offers impactful, collaborative, and data-driven professional learning opportunities for central office and school-based educators.

Dr. Stoney Beavers (334) 279-1886 dakota@aplusala.org aplusala.org/best-practices-center

The Hope Institute

Dr. Jodi Newton info@hopeinstitute.org www.hopeinstitute.org

The Torchbearer Group, LLC

TTG is an educational consulting firm who partners with all schools and guides them toward Torchbearer success using tailored approaches on leadership, teachers, and students.

Dr. Stacey Gill (205) 529-8393 staceypgill1914@gmail.com www.thetorchbearergroup.org

The University of Alabama Online

The University of Alabama offers over 20 top-ranked graduate education degrees in flexible online and hybrid formats with affordable tuition so you can earn a premier degree around your schedule.

Kathryn Morrow (800) 467-0227 online@ua.edu online.ua.edu/clas

UA Early College

UA Early College allows students to earn college credit while they are in high school and supports them to transition into college.

Taylor Eppler (205) 348-7083 lhporter@ua.edu uaearlycollege.ua.edu

University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama offers a wide variety of 100% online education degrees from Certificates, Bachelors, Masters, Education Specialists and Doctoral programs.

Jessica Hughes (615) 984-8535 sabbell@wiley.com www.uwa.edu

Virco

We are an American owned manufacturer of school furniture for the classroom, media center, cafeteria or administrative areas. We sell direct to the schools.John Havicus 205-721-0514 johnhavicus@virco.com www.virco.com