Student Spotlight – December 2024

During Mrs. Oliver’s art classes today, seventh graders from East Samford School, with cameras in hand, captured “work” happening near campus. In a partnership with Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art (JCSM), these students had the opportunity to meet and learn from North Carolina-based visual journalist Kate Medley earlier in the school year. Medley is known for documenting the American South in all its rustic glory. With Medley in mind, the students’ documentation theme was “work.” The students were well practiced in the professionalism expected from a photographer when interacting with the people they encountered during their visits to local businesses and received several compliments along the way. Medley is set to be a juror for a showing of selected photographs taken by ESS students that will be on display in the spring of 2025 at JCSM. At least one image captured by every student who participated in this project will be on display at the Jan Dempsey Community Art Center during the last two weeks of April. ACS thanks the local businesses welcoming the students and JCSM for providing the cameras for the lessons.

Davis Ann Speigner has been named the Teacher of the Year at Ogletree Elementary School. Having taught various grade levels during her 11-year career in public education, Mrs. Speigner currently serves as the instructional coach for OES. “Mrs. Speigner forms lasting relationships with children and families, often staying in contact with them for many years after they leave her classroom. She holds high standards for herself and her students and has a reputation for never giving up on a kid. As a classroom teacher, one of her gifts is quickly identifying students’ strengths and helping them channel their talents toward excellence. She continues to do this in her current role, supporting and partnering with teachers so that students achieve even higher levels. Mrs. Speigner rolls her sleeves up and solves problems with a smile, no matter the challenge or setback. She celebrates our students and staff and truly loves being a part of our school community. Mrs. Speigner’s spirit of hard work, grace, and joy makes our All-Star community shine even brighter!” – Caroline Raville, OES Principal

Junior chemistry students had an exciting day in Mrs. Starr’s class where they explored the fascinating relationship between wavelength, frequency, and energy. Through hands-on experimentation, they observed the unique colors emitted by different chemical compounds as they burned, giving them a real-world look into how energy interacts with elements to create light. This experiment offered students a vivid illustration of their chemistry concepts!

Mary Sanders has been named the Teacher of the Year at Cary Woods Elementary School! Mrs. Sanders is an outstanding Kindergarten teacher with nearly 30 years of experience in education. She spent 11 years teaching 1st grade before discovering her true passion for working with young learners in kindergarten. “Each day, Mrs. Sanders demonstrates empathy, positivity, dedication, collaboration, and professionalism in her classroom. A proud graduate of Auburn University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Mrs. Sanders returned to Auburn to pursue her Early Childhood Certification, further reflecting her commitment to continuous learning. Beyond her teaching expertise, Mrs. Sanders goes above and beyond to build meaningful relationships with her students and their families, ensuring that each child’s academic, social, and emotional needs are met. She fosters a love of learning and inspires her students to reach their full potential. We are thrilled to honor Mrs. Mary Sanders as our Teacher of the Year! – Lamarrius Anderson, CWES Principal.

Three ACS students were presented with Character In Action awards from Lee County Family Court Judge Mike Fellows. Davis Hadley is a sixth grader at J.F. Drake Middle School, and he was recognized for his outgoing spirit.
“Every day, Davis comes with a bright smile that lights up the room, instantly lifting the spirits of everyone around him. What sets Davis apart is his kindness, cheerful demeanor, and playful creativity. Outside of school, he is known for dressing up in elaborate, imaginative costumes for his younger sibling, sparking laughter and fun at home. Davis is always the first to volunteer in the classroom when someone needs help. Whether it is assisting a classmate with a challenging assignment or lending a hand to organize materials, he never hesitates to step in. His actions inspire others to be kind and selfless, creating an atmosphere of support and friendship. His nurturing spirit, creativity, and love for others make Davis a true joy in class.” – The Cosmic Cats Teachers.
Hayden Heath is a seventh grader at East Samford School and was honored for being an outstanding student.
“Hayden is an exemplary student at ESS. Hayden demonstrates the qualities every teacher looks for in a seventh-grade student. Intrinsic motivation and an ambitious attitude ooze out of Hayden in a quiet, well-mannered way. He is consistent in his academic efforts, maintaining an A average in all his academic core classes. Missing assignments are rarely a part of Hayden’s daily vocabulary, as he is always on top of classwork and assignments. Hayden utilizes his time effectively in class. If he is caught up on his classwork, he takes it upon himself to study using multiple methods involving technology. Not only is Hayden a model academic student, but he is also a helpful young man to his peers. His strength in technology enables him to assist his peers when they are challenged with an issue. Hayden also voluntarily helps peers pick up their band instruments from the band room at the end of the day.” – Jeanie Bondurant, ESS Resource Teacher.
Taylan Meyers is a third grader at Yarbrough Elementary School and was recognized for helping a friend with special needs.
“Taylan has amazed me in the short time I have known him. He has a heart of gold, works hard, and always thinks of others. Taylan has been in the same class as a special friend since Pre-K. This friend has Autism and sees life in a different way than most; loves hard, can get frustrated when things don’t go the way he would like them to, and at times may act differently than his typical peers. This student is special to all of us, but Taylan has a unique place in his heart for this friend, and he LOVES Taylan with no problem expressing this love. While our class learns to be accepting and inclusive, Taylan has always been inclusive, patient, caring, and understanding of the differences of others. He makes my heart proud and hopeful for the future. Growing up, I watched the world be unkind to my brother, who has special needs. Watching my students act with love and care for each other is special to me. With students like Taylan being examples for others, there is hope that we can all be inclusive and look past our differences to help each other out.” – Sarah Sandersen, YES Third Grade Teacher.

With Veterans Day on the horizon, Auburn City Schools proudly recognizes and celebrates the sacrifices and service of our veterans. Throughout our schools, students have engaged in special events, heard from guest speakers, and joined in parades and receptions to honor those who’ve served. It has been an excellent opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and unity as we come together to celebrate our heroes.
Join us as we show our appreciation for the sacrifices made by our veterans, teaching our students the importance of service and respect.

LSA was very fortunate to have so many of our grandparents as guest readers in the Lower School!
It’s an honor to encourage these relationships between grandparents and our students, and we love having them show classes how much fun reading can be!

Kim Chavis has been named the Teacher of the Year at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School. With 18 years of experience in public education, Mrs. Chavis teaches fourth grade at WMR and is a leader who encourages and mentors those around her. Her calming presence is an asset for building positive relationships with families, students, and staff. “Kim Chavis works hard daily at WMR to develop relationships with students and build her classroom community. Mrs. Chavis finds creative ways to make her instructional material accessible to her students, staying up-to-date with best practices and applying for grants to help enhance instruction. Her ability to create a positive relationship with colleagues has earned the respect of the entire WMR faculty. Mrs. Chavis regularly collaborates with other teachers and school staff. Also, she takes on leadership positions within WMR, such as leading professional development sessions, heading committees, or serving as a grade leader. In addition, Mrs. Chavis is well-known in our school community and has earned the admiration and respect of our WMR parents.” – Dr. Pete Forster, WMR Principal

2nd & 4th Grade students have been studying natural disasters, specifically floods, and their impact on the earth. In STEM with Mrs. Poole, students were challenged to build a dam using LEGOs. With engineering skills and team work, students came up with some pretty innovative ideas!

Joshua Wine has been named the Teacher of the Year at Auburn Junior High School. Mr. Wine is currently the Director of Bands and Chair of the Fine Arts Department at AJHS, where he conducts and oversees three concert bands, a percussion methods class, a jazz band, and the musicology club, in addition to teaching music appreciation to hundreds of students. “We are very excited for Mr. Wine as he is a great representative of Auburn Junior High School and Auburn City Schools. His passion for music education is evident in and out of the classroom, and he has a talent for engaging and pushing his students to excel in their musical endeavors. I would also like to thank all of the teachers and staff who voted and sent in information for those who were nominated and finalists. We have a great staff and do great things here – keep up the great work!” – Ross Reed, AJHS Principal

The 6th Grade classes put on their own version of the 2024 Presidential Election for all students in 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th Grade. 6th Grade students, along with parent volunteers, worked the polls, took voter registration cards, handed out ballots and even gave “I Voted” stickers!
This has been a very educational time for each of these grades learning about what millions of other Americans are doing across the United States today. We hope all are getting out and exercising their right to vote!

The Auburn High School Girls’ Cross-Country team has been crowned the 2024 Class 7A State Champs at the 69th AHSAA Cross-Country Championships in Oakville Indian Mounds Park!
ACS congratulates the student-athletes, coaches, families, and fans for bringing home back-to-back Blue Maps for the Cross-Country program!

It’s was National School Bus Safety Week, and ACS celebrated drivers, mechanics, and support staff at the Transportation Depot! Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties – to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety. This morning, each driver was met with a warm greeting and first aid kits for their bus before enjoying breakfast and beverages provided by the Buffalo Rock Company. ACS has a fleet of more than 100 buses that travel more than a million miles yearly, transporting students safely to and from school!

On November 9, the Auburn University Office of Professional and Continuing Education, in conjunction with Auburn University’s Korea Corner, hosted the 2024 Global Study Conference, “Bridging Cultures through Education.” The event brought educators from Alabama and Georgia together for engaging discussion and opportunities to share their experiences and insights on global education. To the credit of Dr. Suhyun Suh, global partners have collaborated since 2011 to make the South Korea Global Studies Initiative possible. Since its inception, area automotive companies have helped make it possible for more than 90 area educators to travel to South Korea to study the educational system and learn traditional Korean culture. In conference format today, students, teachers, and community partners gathered for an immersive cultural experience that celebrates the program’s many accomplishments and helps ACS teachers deepen their understanding of Korean students and their educational needs. Auburn City Schools thanks Dr. Daniel Yu and Mrs. Jenny Lee of Auburn’s Korea Corner for the invitation to attend and participate in today’s conference experience and Mina Kim and Seoyoon Lee for their outstanding presentations!

Congratulations to sophomore Audrey Edwards, senior Jay Collins and freshman Karson Brown for competing at Trumbauer Theater Competition. Audrey & Jay received superior ratings for musical theater and Audrey & Karson received a superior rating for their duet performance. All three have been invited to compete at the state level December 6-7 at the University of North Alabama.

Senior Night 2024 was a celebration of all the senior Football players, band members, and cheerleaders. Families escorted their senior athletes and band members onto the Opelika High School football field. Each student was announced and recognized for their senior year successes.

Lee-Scott Academy was proud to recognize and honor its senior students involved in band, cheer, dance and football prior to the last game of the season. These students and their families have all made an impact on their respective teams as well as in our school. We’re proud and excited to celebrate them throughout the rest of their final year!

Betty Weeden was presented the Outstanding Administrator in Literacy Award at the 2024 Fall Alabama Literacy Association Conference in Birmingham, Alabama. As the Coordinator for Elementary Curriculum and Professional Development, Betty Weeden leads learning in all curricular areas, but especially the area of literacy for Auburn City Schools. She meets regularly with school-based reading coaches and supports schools and teachers in implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act. She has served on statewide committees for reading and is a Past President of the Plains Literacy Council, a member council of the Alabama Literacy Association. ACS is proud of Betty and her passion for creating an educational environment of excellence for students and teachers!

Sarah Sandersen has been named the Teacher of the Year at Yarbrough Elementary School. A North Dakota native, Mrs. Sandersen is a third-grade teacher at YES with 11 years of experience in public education. “Mrs. Sandersen is a prime example of an incredibly selfless, devoted, hardworking, and innovative leader. She ensures that each student feels loved, valued, and respected. With this, she constantly strives to do what is best for her students, fellow teachers, and the whole school. Learning is always fun in her classroom, as she is more than just a teacher of students. She works to teach other teachers her magic as well. Not only is she invested in the success of her peers, but she also works to support teachers so all our students at YES can love learning.” – Lisa Wheatley, YES Principal

Lee-Scott Academy’s school wide spelling bee was held on November 7th. Each grade level winner from 4th – 8th Grade competed and did a phenomenal job! 5th Grade student Parker Dobbs was named the 2024 LSA Spelling Bee Winner and 7th Grade student Michelle Simmons was this year’s runner-up.

Congratulations to our XC team for their performance in the AISA State Meet & an amazing season!
JV Boys are back-to-back state champions!
Varsity Girls are state runner-up!
Varsity Boys
– JS Nicholson 1st
– Barrett Reeves 4th
Varsity Girls
– Katie Peatman 2nd
– Mary Ellen Watts 8th
JV Boys
– Daniel Pittman 1st
– Bronx Duval 6th
– Bryson Mayes 9th
JV Girls
– Molly Peatman 3rd

A showdown between Aubie and Big Al took place at Richland Elementary School, where students were voting for their favorite mascot on election day. In a series of rotations, students registered and made a voter identification card in their likeness before stepping into a booth to cast their ballot electronically. They then created “I voted” stickers that they wore with pride following their vote. This civics exercise demonstrated the voting process while building a sense of citizenship for young minds!

Various elementary schools have been honoring the special role a “Grand Person” plays in a student’s life with celebrations over lunch! From sharing stories of the past to providing unconditional love and wisdom, “Grand People” bring joy, perspective, and a sense of connection that enriches our school community. ACS thanks everyone who organized and attended the special events; the turnout and participation from families have been fantastic.

In Mrs. Pickard’s AP United States History class, students were tasked with pitching their own reforms that would help the early democracy in the 1800s. Little did they know, they’d be doing it in front of the 7th President of the United States, President Andrew Jackson. Students pitched President Jackson on their ideas as he gave rebuttal and his own thoughts on how their ideas would go over in the 1820s.

Congratulations again to Mr. Keith York who was recognized today at the Alabama State Board of Education meeting as the 2024 Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year! We are proud of you! The ALBOE approved a Resolution in Recognition of Mr. Alan Keith York, Principal, Opelika Middle School, Opelika City School System, as Alabama’s 2024 Middle School Principal of the Year, State School Board District Two.

The Food Bank of East Alabama received over 1,600 pounds of food from our canned food drive! Thank you to our 5th Grade Class for organizing & loading the truck! Our Grammar School classes made cards and went to visit 4 local assisted living facilities, where they were able to fellowship, sing, and share the joy of the Lord. 6th Grade scrubbed & washed ALL our lunch tables & chairs! Upper School students went to serve throughout our community at 8 different locations! These student teams worked together to be the hands & feet of Jesus through their projects. Thank you to all the parents that helped us get there!

Coach Reita Clanton visited the 3rd-5th grade PE classes to talk about her Olympic career as a team handball athlete! Coach Reita played in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and carried the torch in the 2002 Winter Olympics. The torch is inscribed with “light the fire within” which is so fitting for our theme this year of shining our light and letting God’s light shine through us! Coach Reita now works with the Team USA Paralympic Handball team and just returned from the World Championship in Egypt where they placed 2nd! Thank you for sharing your sport with us Coach Reita

Students immersed themselves in the inspiring lives of saints who dedicated themselves to Christ, by learning about how each saint shined their light in the world. In honor of All Saints Day, students took on a creative challenge: decorating pumpkins to resemble their favorite saints! This family project became an opportunity for students and their families to explore the values and virtues each saint represents. The halls are now filled with colorful and imaginative pumpkin “saints” each reminding us of faith, courage, and love for God.

Students from Auburn High School attended the Equipment Rodeo sponsored by the Alabama and Landscape Nursery Association at Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC). With seven regional schools in attendance, 23 students from the Environmental Natural Resources, Precision Machining, and Construction Technology programs at AHS gained more than six hours of hands-on experience with more than 15 types of heavy equipment. Local, regional, and state-wide industry professionals led and conducted the rotations. ACS is proud to offer 15 different Career & Technical Education programs and is thankful for the partnership with SUSCC!

In physics, students calculated the initial velocity of a ping pong ball flicked off a table without using a stopwatch. They did this by measuring the distance the ball traveled after it left the table and the height of the table and by splitting the motion into x and y components.

4th Grade students were inspired by “The Wild Robot” in their Technology class with Mrs. Jones!
After reading about how beaver was able to build Roz the Robot a new foot, students learned how to build an adaption claw using the VexGo kits. Students partnered up to complete the building challenge and were then able to test their engineering projects by seeing if their claw could grab or hold objects.

Nicki Key has been named the Dean Road Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Key has been a Dean Road Rocket for 12 years, teaching Kindergarten and first grade. She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Auburn University and recently completed her Instructional Leadership and Supervision degree from the University of West Alabama. “Nicki is a model teacher! She is hardworking, creative, fun, and a great leader. She is the first person to volunteer and take on a challenging task. Nicki’s peers say she is ‘intentional.’ Nicki gives her heart, time, and resources in abundance to DRES. She cares deeply about ensuring we do what is best for every student, their families, and the staff she works with daily!” – Dr. Jackie Greenwood, DRES Principal.

Kindergarten-2nd grade students traveled to the Gogue Performing Arts Center to see The Magic School Bus! Thank you to those who made this possible, we had the best time!

SMCS elementary students spent some time with City of Auburn Public Safety to learn all about fire safety! They were able to get on the truck and explore all of the roles firefighters play! Thank you, Auburn Fire, for visiting!

The OHS Competition Band had a great day at the Sound of the County Marching Invitational yesterday!
Drum Major – Superior
Majorettes – Superior
Colorguard – Superior
Danceline – Superior
Percussion – Superior
Band – Superior
Best in Class Drum Major
Best in Class Percussion
Best in Class Band
2nd in Class Auxiliary
Congratulations, and GO DAWGS!

Lee-Scott Academy welcomed veterans and current military service members on campus at its Veterans Day program. Our students, faculty, staff and administrators were honored to show these special guests how much their service to our country means to us. Our speaker, Captain Terry Gordon, United States Navy Chaplain, shared how important it is to put on the armor of God every day to withstand evil in this world. Captain Gordon related our school Bible verse to our veterans having to also put on armor when in battle. Thank you to each one of these special Veterans! We honor you today and every day for your service.

Congratulations to our TCS Spelling Bee Winner & Runner Up. They will represent Trinity in the Lee County Bee early in 2025. We are excited to see our spellers continue to compete!

Lee Rogers has been named Teacher of the Year at Woodland Pines Elementary School. Mrs. Rogers has 27 years of experience in public education across Georgia and Alabama. She taught as a classroom teacher for 22 years and she is currently our art teacher at WPE. “Lee radiates positivity. She is a light in our building. She goes above and beyond for her students and our faculty. Her creativity and vision takes center stage around our building through student work displays. When asked to assist around the school, Lee is one of the first to step up and take on the extra role with a smile. We are beyond blessed to have her on our team and call her Woodland Pines family.” -Tonya Nolen, WPES Principal

Liz Greathouse has been named the Teacher of the Year at Pick Elementary School. With a bachelor’s and master’s both from Auburn University, Mrs. Greathouse has 20 years of experience in public education and currently teaches fourth grade at PES. “Liz Greathouse is a natural school leader as she fully embodies doing all things at PES with excellence, leadership, and pride! She lifts up everyone around her with her encouragement, motivation, and contagious joy! With a huge heart and great compassion, Liz is fully committed to educating the whole child. She seeks first to understand and leaves no stone unturned in meeting the needs of her students. Her passion is apparent, as she is currently serving as 4th Grade Department Chair, Strategic Planning Priority Team Leader, PES Mentor, and is part of the PES Writing Committee. We are most grateful for her tremendous dedication and talent as she teaches and leads with her heart. Liz is a blessing to both students and staff at our village on the hill! Congratulations, Mrs. Greathouse!” – Debbie Reetz, PES Principal.

Drew Bagwell has been named the Auburn High School Teacher of the Year. Bagwell is a 2003 graduate of Auburn High School and a product of Auburn City Schools. He started his teaching career in Phenix City and has been at Auburn High School since 2010. Along with being an incredible family man, Drew maintains an extremely busy schedule as a coach for AHS’s varsity football team. “Drew never loses sight of his professional purpose as a science teacher. Drew has not only demonstrated a deep knowledge of his subjects but also an unwavering commitment to his students’ success. While he may have a tough exterior, beneath it, he has a heart of gold. Drew cares deeply for every student he encounters, going above and beyond to ensure their growth and well-being. Selfless, humble, and dedicated, Drew is the embodiment of what it means to be an outstanding educator. He inspires not just through his lessons but by the example he sets as an all-around incredible human being. His impact is felt far beyond the classroom, and I believe he is more than deserving of this recognition.” – Dr. Shannon Pignato, AHS Principal.

Mrs. Kichler and Ms. Penland’s PreK4 class has been very busy learning their letters, working on their handwriting, learning about God, and spending time playing with friends!

Allison Etheredge has been named the J.F. Drake Middle School Teacher of the Year. With 14 years of experience in public education, Mrs. Etheredge holds a bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University and a master’s degree from UAB. She is in her fourth year of teaching sixth-grade math in ACS and is a beacon of school spirit for both her Drake Panthers and Auburn High Tigers! “Known for her radiant positivity and unwavering dedication, Allison is a ray of sunshine in our school community! She has a remarkable ability to connect with her students, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and inspired. Her passion for teaching and commitment to fostering a love of learning shine through in everything she does. Allison’s infectious joy and positive energy light up the classroom and she consistently goes above and beyond to foster a culture of collaboration and growth, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to both student success and the school community. Whether it’s through her engaging lessons or her endless words of affirmation, she makes a lasting impact on every person she meets. Allison is an invaluable member of our DMS family, and we are honored to celebrate this well-deserved recognition!“ – Sarah Armstrong, DMS Principal.

LaToya Levett has been named the East Samford School Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Levett is a University of West Alabama graduate with 11 years of experience serving middle-school-aged students at J.F. Drake Middle School and ESS as an in-school suspension teacher and PE coach. “We are thrilled to recognize Mrs. LaToya Levett as the ESS Teacher of the Year. As our ISS teacher and girls’ basketball coach, Mrs. Levett goes above and beyond in her commitment to our students. She is not only a dedicated educator but also a mentor and role model. Mrs. Levett consistently creates a supportive and structured environment in ISS, helping students make positive strides in their academic and personal lives. Her passion for coaching has empowered our young athletes, fostering teamwork, resilience, and a strong sense of community. We are proud to celebrate Mrs. Levett for her outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to our school.” – Dr. Duriel Barlow, ESS Principal.

Meredith George has been named the Auburn Early Education Center Teacher of the Year. Mrs. George is a first-grade teacher who teaches with her whole heart. She attributes becoming a teacher to her mother, who taught for over 30 years in Alabama and Georgia. Her mother instilled in her a love of teaching and learning. “Meredith truly “sees” each child and makes it a priority to make learning meaningful while having fun. She is the first to wear a pair of holiday earrings and get excited about a dress-up day. This spirit spills over to her students, who look forward to special occasions because of her enthusiasm. Mrs. George understands each student’s academic needs and pushes them to their next level by setting, meeting, and exceeding goals. Each child is valued and loved, and their voice is important. To know Meredith is to love her. Her positive, go-getter attitude is contagious and is appreciated. She currently serves as grade-level chair and Strategic Planning Committee Lead. We are so thankful that she followed in her mom’s footsteps!” – Glori Lammons, AEEC Principal.

Congratulations to freshman Olivia Kahn on winning the 3A Girls 5K run today and being named the 3A Girls Individual State Champion!! Both boys earned PRs & the girls’ team finished with 3 Top 25 finishes and a 6th place finish! Congrats Coach Carter & Warriors!