Latest news with #BirminghamCitySchools
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Athens teacher finalist for state teacher of year
Apr. 30—Athens High School teacher Amanda Gudmundsson, one of four finalists for Alabama teacher of the year, changed career paths because of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on New York. Because she lived right outside New York City at the time, she witnessed everything firsthand, she said. Even though she is a fifth-generation educator, her path to the classroom was unexpected. Initially, she pursued a degree in higher education administration, but her career shifted following the events of Sept. 11. She decided to become a teacher after seeing the unity and the outpouring of selflessness the attack inspired. Through teaching, she found a way to contribute to democracy and uphold the values of equality and civic responsibility, she said. She believes that with the right support, all students can succeed and make meaningful and impactful contributions to society. Now the Athens High School teacher has been named one of the top four finalists for the 2025 — 26 Alabama Teacher of the Year award. Finalists for state teacher of the year include: —Gudmundsson, Athens City Schools, secondary teacher of the year. —Aubrey Bennett Birmingham City Schools, George Washington Carver High School, secondary teacher of the year. —Katie Collins, Hoover City Schools, Bluff Park Elementary School, elementary teacher of the year. —Katherine Thomas, Homewood City Schools, Edgewood Elementary School, elementary teacher of the year. Gudmundsson, who teaches government, economics and history, was first selected by her peers as Athens High School's teacher of the year in September 2024. She was then honored as the Athens City Schools teacher of the year in November 2024. She became a state finalist after being selected from more than 150 educators across Alabama. Gudmundsson also teaches dual-enrollment U.S. history courses at Calhoun Community College, as well as honors economics and American government. In addition to her recent accolades, Gudmundsson was also named the 2025-26 high school teacher of the year by the Alabama Veterans of Foreign Wars for her efforts in promoting citizenship education and patriotism in the classroom. She said caring for the students is the critical quality in being a good teacher. "I think you have to have compassion and empathy and treat your student the way you would treat your own children," she said. "If you go with that you will come out with great results. It's more than a subject matter; I try to build them up." Because the name Gudmundsson is so long, her students have dubbed her "Mrs. G" instead. She was astonished upon being selected as a finalist for teacher of the year. "I was completely shocked but honored," she said. "It is great to be acknowledged by students, colleagues and administrators." She said she has been humbled by the selection. "I never thought I'd get this far along in the process," she said. "I just care about students but I'm not doing anything anyone else isn't doing." Still, she is honored to represent her colleagues, which is how she looks at it since she was nominated by them. She thanked her superintendent, Beth Patton, whom she says has been a classroom teacher herself and understands, and Willie Moore, her principal. "They have been behind me all the way, my colleagues, too," she said. Patton said Mrs. G's students and colleagues are rooting for her. "This recognition not only reflects her commitment to excellence in the classroom but also the passion, innovation and heart she brings to our entire school community," Patton said. "We are honored to have such an inspiring educator among us." On Friday, Gudmundsson will attend her final interview, and a winner will be chosen during a May 7 banquet in Montgomery, she said. — or 256-340-2361
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deadline for students applying for Birmingham Promise scholarship nears
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The deadline for students looking to apply for Birmingham Promise scholarship funds is set for May 1. The program covers up to four years of tuition at public state colleges and universities for Birmingham City Schools graduates. The program has provided over $11 million in tuition assistance to more than 1,600 graduates since it's inception. Jefferson County Coroner's Office searching for family of 86-year-old woman who died in hospice care Prospective students must fill out a Birmingham Promise application and FASFA form to qualify. Scholarship funds can also be used for students wishing to complete a two-year community college or shorter programs. 'Completing the application keeps students' options open in case other assistance falls through, or they end up staying in state at a public college or university,' Samantha Williams, executive director of Birmingham Promise, said. 'We don't want anyone to miss out on the benefits of Birmingham Promise simply because they didn't meet the deadline to apply.' According to a release, graduating seniors should have received a link to apply to the program via their Outlook school account. Anyone needing assistance applying or has questions is asked to email scholarships@ or call 205-843-5967. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Program introducing Birmingham City School students to golf begins March 10
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)– First Tee Birmingham is beginning their spring session March 10. First Tee Birmingham is a program for children ages seven to 18 that teaches character development through golf. No experience is necessary at any age. Birmingham City Schools students can participate for free by using the code 'BCS' at checkout. Programming takes place at the following days and locations: Highland Park Golf Course: Monday to Wednesday Roebuck Golf Course: Monday to Thursday PGA Tour Superstore: Saturday For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Birmingham City Schools see drop in Hispanic student attendance
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The decision by the Trump administration to rescind the Biden administration's guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in or near areas considered 'sensitive,' including schools, has prompted a response from Birmingham City Schools. Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan issued a letter to Birmingham city families last week assuring them that 'student safety' remains their top priority. Terry Lamar, Chief of Staff for Birmingham City Schools, said they have not had any disruptions as it relates to anyone coming into their schools. However, they have seen a drop in attendance. 'We have noticed that we've had a drop in some of our Latino X students population,' Lamar said. 'It's something that we are monitoring at this time. We're watching to see, but we're looking forward to having that number decrease as well.' According to the district, 14% of the enrolled student population is Hispanic. The letter from the district states that they protect student privacy, as mandated by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act known as FERPA. Education attorney Shane Sears said parents may not understand what that actually means: 'I think they could have taken it one step further and said we are not going to provide your child's information to law enforcement even if asked.' He said there's also a fear that school resource officers may in some way provide information to other law enforcement agencies. January_BCS_Family_LetterDownload Sears believes the chance of a warrant being issued for a student at a school by Immigration and Customs Enforcement is extremely low. 'Their children are safe at school, and they are getting their basic needs met,' Sears explained. 'If they're not in school, for kids who have undocumented parents, they may not be getting three meals a day, they may not be getting medical care like they would be getting if they were in school.' Carlos Aleman, CEO of the Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama known as HICA, said his office has been getting a lot of phone calls. 'There is a concern among families as to the safety of their children, and thus what we're seeing and we're hearing is a reluctance to send some of these students to school,' Aleman said. Aleman said they're encouraging young people to go to school. 'I think that what we understand and what we've heard is that immigration officials will not necessarily be going into schools, but if that changes then we'll have to evaluate the situation,' he explained. He said they encourage families to send their children to school to avoid other issues like truancy. Afrika Parchman, General Counsel for Birmingham City Schools, explained what might happen in the event that ICE would arrive on a school campus. According to the letter, staff are instructed to immediately contact a school administrator. As to what type of warrant the district would respond to, Parchman said they would refer the matter to legal counsel on a case-by-case basis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
