Shelby County Schools

Shelby County Schools hosted their annual back-to-school meeting for School Resource Officers and school administrators today. Topics at this year's meeting included threat assessment analysis, sextortion, human trafficking, and updates from Juvenile Court. Shelby County Schools values the partnerships with all of our different municipalities and agencies.

Rashard Jemison will serve as the next assistant principal of Calera Middle School. Mr. Jemison is in his 12th year of education. He was the assistant principal at Sumter County School System for the last two years at Livingston Junior High School. Prior to that, Mr. Jemison was a Sumter County School System physical education teacher and middle school basketball and football coach.

Elise Weaver will serve as the Child Nutrition Program Supervisor for Shelby County Schools. Weaver began her career working in finance but has dedicated herself to the Child Nutrition Program within the Oak Mountain community. She also has prior experience as a self contained paraprofessional at Pelham City Schools, where she honed her commitment to student welfare and educational support services.

Kelsey Collum will serve as the next assistant principal for Calera High School. Mrs. Collum is in her 9th year of education. She began her career with Shelby County Schools at Columbiana Middle School teaching special education. Since 2018, Mrs. Collum has worked at Linda Nolen Learning Center as a special education teacher and most recently served as their adaptive physical education teacher.

Cecil Bunn will serve as the next Technical Services Supervisor for Shelby County Schools. Mr. Bunn has served Shelby County Schools for 19 years, working within the Technology Department. He started as a Network Administrator (2005-2006), and then filled the need as Senior Network Engineer (2006-2024).

Philip Cosper will serve as the next assistant principal of Chelsea High School. Mr. Cosper has been an educator and administrator for 19 years in the Talladega County Schools system. He began his career as a middle school science teacher at Childersburg Middle School from 2005-2013. He then served as assistant principal for B.B. Comer High School from 2013-2018, and was most recently the Transportation Supervisor from 2018 to present.

Dr. Ingrid Abner has been named Technology Coordinator for Shelby County Schools. Dr. Abner is in her 18th year in education and currently serves as Assistant Director of Instructional Technology for Jefferson County Schools. Previously, she served in Tarrant City Schools as Technology and Testing Coordinator and Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

We are honored to have been awarded the Gold Medallion Award from the National School Public Relations Association for our new strategic plan. Shelby County Schools was one of eight districts to win the Gold Medallion out of 87 entries. Thank you to our parents, teachers, administrators, and district leaders for participating in our strategic planning process. We have an award-winning plan thanks to your willingness to engage and share input. https://www.nspra.org/Awards/Award-Winners/2024-Gold-Medallion-Winners

Congratulations to Lily Langford and Ira Fannin on being named Shelby County's First Year Teachers of the Year. Langford is a music teacher at Elvin Hill and Shelby Elementary schools. Iran Fannin teaches sixth-grade Social Studies at Chelsea Middle.

Congratulations to Student Services Supervisor Jennifer Cofer on being honored with the School Safety Partnership Award from TAASRO, which recognizes school personnel supporting and further developing the SRO partnership and program. Recipients exemplify leadership, innovation, dedication, and proactive measures to enhance the safety of the school community beyond that expected of a normal school staff member.

Congratulations to these outstanding students on being named National Merit Finalists!

Christopher Myles will serve as Students Services Supervisor for Shelby County Schools. Mr. Myles has over fourteen years of experience in public education and has served as the principal at Calera High School since 2020.

LaTasha McMillan will serve as the next principal of Helena Middle School. Ms. McMillan has over nineteen years of experience in public education and currently serves as an assistant principal at Chelsea High School.

Holly Laney will serve as the next principal of Helena Elementary School. Laney has over eighteen years of experience as an educator and is currently the Director of Special Education and Student Services for Tarrant City Schools. Before this role, she worked in Shelby County for seventeen years, the most recent being the Assistant Principal at Calera Intermediate School for four years.

Tyler Lemen will serve as the next assistant principal at Helena High School. Lemen has over ten years of experience in education and most recently served as the Assistant Principal at Moody High School. He previously served as Assistant Principal at Montevallo Elementary School during the 2022-23 school year.

Congratulations to the following school counselors for being selected by their school counseling peers as the 23-24 Shelby County School Counselors of the Year. Surprise visits were made to each school to present these awards and provide celebratory time with their school families. Elementary Counselor of the Year Co-Recipients: Ginger Forsythe - Vincent Elementary and Renita Matthews - Helena Intermediate. Middle School Counselor of the Year: Janice Maddox - Chelsea Middle School, High School Counselor of the Year - Mandy Kirk - New Direction

Secondary coaches from various sports recently participated in two days of Capturing Kids Heart training. The training focuses on building positive culture through relationship building, establishing trust, creating accountability, and focusing on improved academic performance.

Genet Holcomb will serve as Shelby County Schools’ next Elementary School Coordinator. Mrs. Holcomb has over 31 years of experience in public education and is currently the principal at Helena Elementary School.

Dr. Mathew Epps will serve as the new principal at the Career Technical Education Center. Dr. Epps has 17 years of experience in education, and started his teaching career at Rutledge Middle School before becoming an assistant principal and Career Tech Director for Midfield High School. He transitioned to Shelby County Schools as an assistant principal at Oak Mountain High School prior to his most recent role as principal at Helena Middle School.

The Shelby County Schools Central Office staff supported Mental Health Awareness Month by being seen in green today! #SCSBeSeenInGreen