Parade of ReadersHuntsville City SchoolsPrincipal: Dr. LaKeeta PerkinsSuperintendent: Dr. Clarence Sutton Parade of Readers began 30 years ago to encourage reading in first grade. The program and community tradition has grown into a school-wide celebration and is a contributing factor in the success of Hampton Cove Elementary. Over the years, Hampton Cove’s Parade of Readers program…

Number NinjasHuntsville City SchoolsPrincipal: Mrs. April ClarkSuperintendent: Dr. Clarence Sutton Number Ninjas is a one of a kind six-week math fluency program developed by the educators at Roger B. Chaffee Elementary School! Number Ninjas promoted collaboration with school educators, community partners, the PTA, and families. Number Ninjas also provided opportunities for families to practice math…

Read to Wright: Reading Makes Everything Right Florence City Schools Principal: Dr. Thomas Casteel Superintendent: Mr. Bill Hopkins During the 2024–2025 school year, Harlan Elementary School launched Read to Right: Reading Makes Everything Right, a student-centered literacy initiative co-created by Florence City Schools Social Worker, Sonja Croone. Designed for K–2 students, the program builds a…

Falcon PeriodFlorence City SchoolsPrincipal: Dr. Ashley BowlingSuperintendent: Mr. Bill Hopkins Florence Middle School implemented Falcon Period as a schoolwide initiative program designed to ensure every student received targeted academic, behavioral, and foundational wellness during the instructional day. Embedded within the master schedule, Falcon Period provided a protected daily block for all seventh- and eighth-grade students…

Transforming a School’s Culture through Character EducationTuscaloosa City SchoolsPrincipal: Dr. Darlene AtkinsSuperintendent: Dr. Michael Daria The Westlawn Middle School story is one that everyone should hear, as it is inspiring to see how change can happen when a school’s emphasis on character education serves as its roadmap to success. Historically, Westlawn struggled with low test…

Blooming in SEL Tuscaloosa City Schools Principal: Dr. Donmonique Morgan Superintendent: Dr. Michael Daria Blooming in SEL was a school-developed, research-based social-emotional learning initiative that served all K–12 students at STARS Academy, with intentional design for students in an alternative setting. Implemented during the 2024–2025 school year, the program integrated gardening, mentorship, leadership development, and…

Mad Scientist HourLinden City SchoolsPrincipal: Ms. Tonya StarksInterim Superintendent: Mr. Scott Collier George P. Austin Junior High School’s Mad Scientist Hour was created to give students an exciting opportunity to explore science beyond regular classroom instruction. The school’s science teacher wanted to spark curiosity, creativity, and a deeper interest in how science works in the…

Cultivate MoreAutauga County SchoolsPrincipal: Mrs. Christen HarrySuperintendent: Mr. Lyman Woodfin The outdoor classroom and garden program at Pine Level Elementary School was designed to meet a critical need by engaging students in hands-on learning that connected academic content to real-world experiences. The garden served as a dynamic extension of core instruction, transforming science lessons into…

Beyond the Classroom InititativeTuscaloosa City SchoolsPrincipal: Mrs. Preeti NichaniSuperintendent: Dr. Michael Daria At Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Elementary (TMSE), the “Beyond the Classroom” initiative was launched in the 2024–25 school year to transform learning into a relational and visible experience through sustained partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and institutions. This program is built around one core belief:…

The Power of FourTuscaloosa City SchoolsPrincipal: Mrs. Keonta MeltonSuperintendent: Dr. Michael Daria The Power of Four at Skyland Elementary was implemented to strengthen student character, improve school culture, and establish a consistent, schoolwide framework for positive behavior and leadership. The program represented the school’s four houses, Determination, Accountability, Respect, and Optimism and was developed in…