A publication of Mobile County Public Schools, where Perseverance Propels Progress |
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MCPSS announces Teachers of the Year |
Mobile County Public Schools officials are proud to recognize the countywide teachers of the 2025-2026 school year. They are:
• Dr. Chelsea Tanous of Davidson High School, the Mobile County High School Teacher of the Year;
• Daniela Yunker of Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, the Mobile County Middle School Teacher of the Year; and
• Jennifer Asberry of Council Traditional School, the Mobile County Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
Each of Mobile County’s 90 schools selects a standout Teacher of the Year, who is then nominated for the countywide honor. A committee then has the difficult decision of selecting the top three winners from among a very large number of exemplary candidates. The committee and members of the Mobile County Board of School Commissioners surprised the three countywide teachers of the year in their classrooms last week.
“I am very proud of these outstanding educators for going above and beyond to prepare our students for success,” said Mobile County Public Schools Superintendent Chresal D. Threadgill. “This honor is a tangible recognition of their dedication to student achievement. I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to them for this terrific accomplishment.”
Read more about the teachers on mcpss.com. |
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School Board Recognition Month |
January is National School Board Recognition Month. #TeamMCPSS thanks the Mobile County Board of School Commissioners for their tireless dedication to our students and staff. The School Commissioners are: • Sherry Dillihay-McDade, President and District 4 representative
• Lonnie Parsons, Vice President and District 1 Representative
• Don Stringfellow, District 2 Representative
• Dr. Reginald Crenshaw, District 3 Representative
• Johnny Hatcher, District 5 Representative Read about the School Commissioners on mcpss.com.
Mobile County Public Schools is represented on the Alabama State Board of Education by Dr. Tonya Chestnut, District 5 Representative, and by Jackie Zeigler, a former MCPSS principal who is now the District 1 Representative. |
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Students and teachers from several MCPSS schools were in attendance at the Mobile City Council meeting last week as Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis signed a proclamation officially naming January 29 as “Gifted Education Day” in the City of Mobile. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a similar proclamation earlier this month, marking January as Gifted Education Month in the state of Alabama. |
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Fine Arts News: Honor Dance and Honor Bands |
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Congratulations to the 2026 Honor Dancers. The Middle School Honor Dancers (left) are Kimberly Campbell, Emmaleigh Hanaczewski, Carley Thrash and Rosalyn Williams of Causey, and Toni Anderson, Makenleigh Coleman, Jarialys Delgado-Rodriguez, Takiya Dillard, Catelyn Fikes, Londyn McNeal, Azariah McQueen, Aaliyah Misora, Aniyah Nelson-White, Karsynn Perez and Aniyah Scott-Richie of Dunbar.
The High School Honor Dancers (right) are Sadie Hayes, Londyn Sullivan and Whitney Townsend of Alma Bryant; Chyler McCutcheon and Kaliyah Wilson of Baker; Cady Barnes, Emmorja Bingham, Leo Blejwas, Cayleigh Humphrey, Kierstann Johnson, Kyleigh Pettway, Marleigh Rollins, Mei-Ling Rollman, Marlee Scott, Maia Tedla and Calena Vassel-Thornton of Davidson; Tihanna Evans, Leah Howard and Chloe Smith of LeFlore; and Akelah White of Williamson. |
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About 360 of Mobile County Public Schools' finest musicians put their talents on display as the Middle School and High School Honor Bands performed at Baker and Theodore high schools. Congratulations to all who performed! |
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| Congratulations to Lee Hunter, a graduate of Blount High School, who has returned to Mobile to play in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl. Blount High held a celebration on Monday for Hunter, who was a defensive lineman for Texas Tech University.
Congratulations to Mary G. Montgomery football player Brayden Turner, who was named by NBC 15 as the Friday Night Rivals Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Turner carries a 4.5 GPA at MGM and volunteers with several organizations in his community. NBC 15 and award sponsor Andrew's Diesel and Automotive Repair presented Turner with a $5,000 scholarship, and his family was on hand for the surprise announcement. Turner plans to study mechanical engineering at Auburn University. Congratulations to the winners of the Middle School Basketball Championships! The Large Division champions are the Hankins Middle School Girls and the Causey Middle School Boys. The Small Division Champions are the Denton Magnet School Girls and the Calloway-Smith Middle School Boys.
Watch the games on mcpssTV. |
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Congratulations to Harleigh Van Atta, a senior at Alma Bryant High School, who a poetry competition hosted by the University of South Alabama. On January 28, Harleigh will be recognized for her accomplishment at a ceremony at USA, where she will read her poem alongside critically acclaimed poet Karisma Price. |
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Congratulations to Murphy High senior Collin Bendolph, who has been invited by the NAQT (National Academic Quiz Tournaments) to the 2026 Individual Player National Championship Tournament (IPNCT). Collin’s results are consistent with those of players who have competed in previous IPNCTs and performed at a high level. The eighth iteration of NAQT’s flagship individual quiz bowl championship will be held on April 12 in Rosemont, Illinois. |
| Davidson High student Will Jordan recently earned his Eagle Scout award. For his project, Will built a hose drying rack for the Theodore Dawes Fire Department, which recognized him with a plaque at a recent board meeting. |
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Board meetings and holidays |
Board Meeting: The Mobile County Board of School Commissioners will hold its regular board meeting on January 28 at 10 a.m. The board's work sessions are recorded and uploaded to the mcpssTV YouTube channel. The board meetings are live-streamed on mcpssTV.
All meetings are held in the Board Room at MCPSS Central Office, located at 1 Magnum Pass in west Mobile. The schedule is here on the mcpss.com website.
Holidays: All MCPSS schools and offices will be closed from Feb. 16 to Feb. 18 for the Presidents Day and Mardi Gras holidays. In addition, Feb. 19-20 are Professional Development Days for teachers, and there will be no school for students on those days. |
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Signature Academies: Reminder to parents of 8th- and 9th-graders: Signature Academy applications are open through February 9. Here is the application link. |
The Royal Closet: The Mobile County Public Schools Social Services Department is again accepting donations of formalwear for the Royal Closet, a program to help students attend prom without the financial burden of purchasing expensive attire. Items needed include formal dresses, shoes and jewelry for young women and suits, dress shirts and ties for young men. Bring your donations to Building A at MCPSS Central Office before March 7, or call MCPSS Social Services at 251-221-4275. The Royal Closet will be open for students March 2-7.
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Nominate teachers and student athletes: Want to highlight a top-notch teacher or an outstanding athlete? Use these links to make your nominations for a Golden Apple or a Scholar Athlete award.
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Make your donations count: Mobile County Public Schools is a participant in Goodwill's Good Samaritan Program. Use the yellow Donation Referral Card when you make a donation to any Goodwill Gulf Coast retail store, and Goodwill will give a credit voucher to MCPSS Student Support Services. (Donors will still receive a blue donation receipt for tax purposes.) The yellow donation cards have been distributed to all MCPSS schools; if you need one, please contact Sally Ericson.
The Student Support Services Department uses the Goodwill vouchers to purchase clothing and items for our families in need. |
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