Latest news with #JeffersonCountySchools
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Students at Shepherdstown Middle School treated to special guest in their library
SHEPHERDSTOWN, () — A very special guest paid a visit to the library at Shepherdstown Middle School Tuesday afternoon. Johnny Moses is a Native American from a tribe on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. He is a master storyteller, oral historian and spiritual leader. New exhibit at Jefferson County Museum revisits regional role of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson His visit to the school is a way for Jefferson County Schools to introduce, in real life, some colorful personalities they read about during the school year. 'I grew up with storytelling,' Moses said of his Native American heritage. 'And the one thing that I always loved, the elders, when they would tell us the stories, they would always tell us 'I tell you these stories because I love you.'' Adam Booth is the director of the Speak Story Series. 'The students get to meet people from different cultures,' Booth said. 'They speak different languages, have different backgrounds.' South Martinsburg Middle School robotics team heads to Texas for world championships Teacher Jennifer Cogle said the series leaves a 'lasting legacy' on the kids. 'They really enjoy talking about it with future grads that come up and they really look forward to it every year,' Cogle said. Jefferson County Schools says the storytelling gives students historical perspectives and broadens their cultural awareness. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jefferson County Schools announces teachers of the year
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — Jefferson County Schools announced the district's teachers of the year for 2025- 2026. Leslie Miller Chatta, from Pinson Elementary School, and Shernell Lewis, from Hueytown Middle School, were both awarded with the honor. Chatta is Pinson Elementary School's STEM teacher. According to Jefferson County Schools, she has been in the teaching profession for over 30 years. Prior to taking on the role of the school's STEM teacher, Chatta taught second grade. She has been a Lead Mentor, an E-team leader, and she has served on various committees for Jefferson County Schools. Chatta has also helped implement programs that promote and ensure student success. Alabama lawmakers approve paid parental leave for state employees Lewis, who teaches 8th grade physical science, is in her seventh year of teaching in Jefferson County Schools. She has earned a certificate from the National Insitute for STEM Education for STEM teaching. According to Jefferson County Schools, Lewis' goal is to be the founder and CEO of a STEM program that would provide students with opportunities to grow academically and socially as they pursue STEM-related content and careers. 'Both of these teachers have set the bar incredibly high. They are the example of what teachers should strive to become. Both of them bring their best every day, to get the best out of their students. We are grateful for their unwavering commitment to education, and we are blessed to have them in our district,' Dr. Walter Gonsoulin, Superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, said in a statement. Chatta and Lewis will both proceed to compete for Alabama Teacher of the Year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New Iberia native named National Superintendent of the Year
NEW ORLEANS, La. () — New Iberia native, Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. has been named the National Superintendent of the Year by The School Superintendent Association on Thursday afternoon during the National Conference on Education in New Orleans. Gonsoulin was rewarded with a $10,000 check to which will go to a student in the high school from which the superintendent graduated or the school now serving the same area. 'To me, this is one of the greatest honors of my life. As a child growing up in New Iberia, Louisiana, I never could have imagined achieving this honor.' said Gonsoulin. Gonsoulin is the first superintendent from Alabama to be honored with this award. He has been a superintendent for Jefferson County in Alabama since 2019. Since then, he developed a college and career readiness initiative that led to 357% increase in the number of students that earned industry credentials, indicating that those students possess the qualifications for entry-level employment. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now With this honor, Gonsoulin is excited for the recognition for his county and the hard work put into the programs. 'However, I want to be clear, while my name is on the award, I am only one part of it. I would not be in this position if it were not for the hard work of the teachers, administrators, support personnel, board members, students, and parents. They are the heartbeat of Jefferson County Schools.' said Gonsoulin. Houma man arrested in Lafayette, charged with child sex crimes Democratic leaders bash GOP's spending plan: 'Not acceptable' $400M in federal grants to Columbia University canceled amid antisemitism probe New Iberia native named National Superintendent of the Year President Trump suggests he may not change daylight saving time Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Blount County district attorney discusses arrests of Jefferson County School employees
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — According to the Blount County Sheriff's Office, two Jefferson County Schools employees have been arrested since December in child sex stings. The arrests have raised questions about the hiring process for those who work closely with children. CBS 42 News spoke with Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey, who is prosecuting these cases. She said that when it comes to these kinds of crimes, it's nearly impossible to identify those who will commit them before they do. 'I hate to say it like this, but you can't fix stupid,' Casey said. 'If people are going to make stupid decisions, sometimes there's things you can't do to fix stupid.' According to the BCSO, Christopher Thompson and James Mitchell were trying to pay who they believed were minors for sexual activity. There arrests were caught on the camera by 'TakeDown with Chris Hansen' on TruBlu. Hansen said he believes the district should implement stricter hiring policies. 'Clearly two in a matter of two sting operations back-to-back indicates more needs to be done,' Hansen said. WATCH: Former 'To Catch a Predator' host talks recent Alabama sting operation 'We find people all the time who have never been caught before, and I find it hard to believe this is their first time acting out in our sting,' Hansen continued. 'So it happens. Men get away with it. Predators get away with it, so I think there needs to be more done in terms of psychological screening.' CBS 42 reached out to Jefferson County Schools about its hiring process and received the following statement: All potential candidates for employment are required to submit to a criminal history background check through the ALSDE, which includes a fingerprint check by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The district does not recommend individuals for hire unless their background status on the ALSDE portal at the time of recommendation is suitable for the position in which they are being recommended for. If an appropriate background status is not available through the ALSDE portal, the individual will not be recommended for hire. Jefferson County Schools According to Casey, these two men are out on bond. Mitchell's case has been reviewed by a grand jury and is proceeding to circuit court. Thompson's case is pending a first call hearing. 'The number one priority we have is keeping children safe and keeping family safe, and that's what we are going to do in all our cases, especially in these two situations,' Casey said. Jefferson County Schools stated Mitchell is on administrative leave, while Christopher Thompson has resigned from his position with the school system. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
