T.S. Morris Elementary chosen as "Torchbearer School" | Community Spirit

Congratulations go to T.S. Morris Elementary students, faculty and staff for being named an Alabama Torchbearer School. They were one of only eight Alabama schools selected to receive the distinction. Torchbearers are high poverty schools that demonstrate high academic achievement. Booker T. Washington Magnet High School string and piano students in Clay McKinney and Dr. Corine Free’s classes performed at the Torchbearer recognition luncheon.

Kudos go to several MPS teachers who received Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants. They are: Head Elementary special education teacher Lisa Furlong ($2,300), Catoma Elementary kindergarten teacher Sherrie Adams and third grade teacher Wanda Jackson ($3,000), and Forest Avenue Elementary media specialists Nancy Moss and Evelyn Pope ($3,000).

Jeff Davis High student Andrea Jackson was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship by the Charles Schwab Foundation during its 2010 National Financial Capability Challenge. Only 20 students nationwide received the award, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Treasury. To receive a scholarship, students had to score in the top 20 percent nationally on the National Financial Capability Challenge and reside in one of the states with the top ten highest participation rates in the Challenge. When Andrea received the award she was a student at Lanier High. As a result, Lanier High business marketing teacher Kercilda McClarin will also receive $1,000.

Houston Hill Jr. High science teacher Katrina Saulsberry recently received an AT&T technology grant, which provides her three Mobi Slates, an LCD projector, a netbook with a webcam, access to the programs Dimdim and Moodle, and training on all of the components.

Peter Crump Elementary teacher Sylvia Chris Powell recently received the Alabama Library Expo’s Herman Moore Lamp 2010 Award for Exceptional Service. The award recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to Alabama libraries over an extended period of time.

Congratulations go to Davis Elementary teachers Patricia Johnson, Melva Dupree and Rashondra Bryant who received the school’s Grade Level of the Month Award. The award is given to teachers who demonstrate excellent teamwork. In addition, first grade teacher Katrina Hayden received Davis’ Teacher of the Month for August Award.  Hayden, who is new to Davis Elementary but is not a new teacher, received the award for  effectively demonstrating her love for the profession and for making a smooth transition from fourth grade to first grade.