A Recap of the State Board Of Education's
May 2007 Meeting

State Board Honors Retiring AASB Executive Director, Teacher of the Year

At its K-12 state Board of Education meeting Thursday, the board recognized retiring AASB Executive Director Dr. Sandra Sims-deGraffenried for outstanding service to Alabama schoolchildren. The board resolution described Sims-deGraffenried’s many years of distinguished public service as “a hallmark of exceptional commitment and dedication to public education and to the children of Alabama.”

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton said he remembers her tireless call for a state proration prevention account even “when it wasn’t cool. There were times when that would come before the Legislature and much discussion took place but no action took place.” Still, Morton said, Sims-deGraffenried persevered, and today there are two accounts set aside should the rainy days of proration return.

“Today in Alabama, we have two proration prevention accounts that exceed $600 million. Should the state budget ever go back into proration, we can weather a pretty big storm,” Morton said. “That sticks in my mind as one of the real accomplishments that Sandra has put forth for public education. She’s a strong person. She’s a good person, and she believes in Alabama public education.”

Sims-deGraffenried told the board she is the third executive director in AASB’s 58-year history, having served 19 years as executive director. She has seen much progress and knows there is still more to be done. As the association moves to the next level, Sims-deGraffenried said she felt it was time for new leadership.

“I just want you to know, you’ll still see me around. I’m not retiring from everything. I’m just retiring from this job,” she said amid laughs. “I celebrated 40 years in public education this past November, and by far the greatest job I’ve ever had is working with school boards across the state, including you (the state board).”

Board Vice President Sandra Ray said she was a local board member for Tuscaloosa County when Sims-deGraffenried was hired. She said AASB wanted a spokesperson whose expertise was sought after in the way the state superintendent’s and Alabama Education Association’s was, she said, adding Sims-deGraffenried successfully accomplished that task.

Pamela Harman, 2007-08 Alabama Teacher of the Year, and Christine M. Sealy, Alternate State Teacher of the Year, received unanimous praise from the state Board of Education Thursday.

Both were honored with resolutions for their professionalism and dedication to providing students with a quality education.

Harman, who is also the state’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, is an earth science teacher at Spain Park High School in the Hoover and will represent Alabama in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Sealy, an elementary school teacher at J. Larry Newton Elementary School in the Baldwin County, is also the Elementary Teacher of the Year. She and Harman will serve as ambassadors for public education and the teaching profession throughout the year.

Morton described Harman as extraordinary and said she may well be the next national teacher of the year.

“What she brings to the classroom is incredible because she knows every student can excel,” he said. “She will not take excuses for not doing one’s best. Students generally recognize that as being genuine and knowing the teacher cares, and they respond.”

Board member David Byers Jr., who read the Teacher of the Year resolution, praised Harman’s hard work. “We’re very proud of you,” he said, “and proud that you come from Alabama and will represent us in the national competition.”

Harman, a National Board Certified Teacher with more than nine years of high school teaching experience, correlated her teaching experience to her former career as a marine who served in the Gulf War.

“As a United States marine, it was an honor to serve my country. As Alabama Teacher of the Year, what a wonderful honor it is to serve my state. I am a servant for you. I hope to serve you well. Thank you so much for this great privilege,” Harman said to a round of applause.

Morton said Sealy has been heralded for her “enthusiasm in going the extra mile to reach every single child she touched. What more could you ask of an elementary teacher?”

Board member Randy McKinney presented the resolution to Sealy, who was selected along with Harman from four finalists – two elementary and two secondary teachers – chosen from a field of 16 district winners.

In other business, the board approved AASB President Jim Methvin, Cleophus Thomas Jr., Victor Blackledge Jr., Monty Stabler and Alan Hunter as Alabama School of Fine Arts Board trustees.

Also at the meeting, the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress Motivation Contest Award winners were celebrated. They were North Birmingham Elementary School in Birmingham, Haleyville Elementary School in Haleyville and J.E. Terry Elementary school in Dallas County.

The board next meets in a work session May 24.

—Denise L. Berkhalter