Award sponsored by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools
and Horace Mann Companies

MOBILE, AL -- June 13, 2023 -- Brigett Stewart, principal of Piedmont Elementary School in the Piedmont City school system, has been named the 2023 CLAS Leadership Award recipient by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS). Mrs. Stewart was nominated by the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA). This award has been given since 1980 by the CLAS Board of Directors to a member who has proven to be an exemplary leader not only in their local school system, but also in their affiliate. Sponsored annually by Horace Mann Companies, the award comes with a $1,000 check.

Dr. Vic Wilson, Executive Director of CLAS, stated, "We are proud to recognize Brigett Stewart for her exceptional leadership and commitment to education in Alabama. She has been an outstanding leader in the Piedmont City school system and has made a significant impact in her local community and beyond."

Principal of Piedmont Elementary, Mrs. Stewart has served as AAESA’s District V Treasurer and is currently in her second term as the District V Representative. She was selected as Alabama’s National Distinguished Principal in 2022 and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the affiliate’s NDP Selection Committee. Additionally, in 2022, Brigett was one of nine principals across the country to receive the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership from the U.S. Dept. of Education. She was also named the 2019 Alabama Community Education Association’s Principal of the Year for her out of the box efforts with student engagement.

Under Mrs. Stewart’s leadership, Piedmont Elementary School has been recognized as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School and a 2023 National ESEA Distinguished School for exhibiting exceptional student performance and academic growth. Mrs. Stewart has led Piedmont Elementary staff to a data-driven mindset as they continually use assessments to guide teaching. During her tenure, the school has been recognized as having the highest math learning gains on state tests in the nation from 2019-2022.

The CLAS Leadership Award recipient is chosen by a selection committee made up of current CLAS Board of Directors members. The committee reviews applications from nominees and makes the selection based on leadership qualities, contributions to education, and involvement in CLAS and its affiliates.

Nominees for this award were:

• Dr. Bob Lawry, Executive Director of Student Services for Hoover City Schools, nominated by the Alabama Association for Prevention, Attendance and Support Services (AAPASS).
• Andrea Dennis, Chief Area Administrator for Mobile County Schools, nominated by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP).
• Laura Parker, Child Nutrition Director for Etowah County Schools, nominated by the Alabama Child Nutrition Directors (ACND).
• Dr. Andrew Maxey, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Tuscaloosa City Schools, nominated by the Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
• Dr. Resia Brooks, Human Resources Coordinator for Shelby County Schools, nominated by the Alabama Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA).
• Ross Reed, Principal of Auburn Junior High School in the Auburn City school system, nominated by the Alabama Association of Middle School Principals (AAMSP).
• Dr. Charla DeLeo, Director of Special Education Services for Brewton City Schools, nominated by the Alabama Council of Administrators of Special Education (ALA-CASE).
• Diane Sherriff, retired administrator, nominated by the Alabama Association of 504 Coordinators (ALA504).

About CLAS

CLAS, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools, was founded in 1969 by a small group of school leaders to provide targeted professional learning and support for Alabama’s public school administrators. CLAS now serves twelve affiliates representing each type of public school/school system leader. CLAS provides the framework to connect dedicated school administrators and other successful leaders with a network for professional growth and support. CLAS is the premier professional learning provider for administrators in public schools in the state of Alabama.