A group of about a dozen people, mostly women, standing in a line. Several wear t-shirts that say "Teach for Alamance". They're holding red gift bags and standing in front of educational posters and an American flag. The room appears to be a school board meeting space. Text Board of Education News September 23, 2024 is above them.

Elon University's Teach for Alamance Program Spotlighted at ABSS Board Meeting

ABSS Webmaster

September 25, 2024

On September 23, 2024, the Alamance-Burlington School System Board of Education convened for their regular meeting. The session covered a wide range of topics, from student and staff recognitions to policy revisions and infrastructure improvements.

Awards and Recognitions

Star Student and Staff Awards

The board recognized outstanding individuals who embody the ABSS portrait of a graduate: Adaptable, Balanced, Self-Reliant, and Solution-Oriented.

  • Star Student: Quest Garner from B. Everett Jordan Elementary was honored for his well-rounded character, helpfulness, and creativity in the 4th and 5th-grade combination class.

  • Star Staff: Paula Alcorn, a Teacher Assistant at E.M. Holt Elementary, was recognized for her positive attitude, dedication, and commitment to serving students.

A group photo of multiple generations of a family with teacher and principal. Everyone is smiling, dressed in casual to semi-formal attire. The background shows logos and posters for ABSS.Four adults posing together in front of educational posters. A woman in a bright pink top holds a trophy. The group is in a school board room.

State Level Recognition

Madison Pierce, a CTE Teacher from Graham High School, was named North Carolina New Teacher of the Year by the NC Association of Career and Technical Educators. Pierce's innovative contributions to career and technical education programs were highlighted, including her hosting of the Future First Responders camp.

Two smiling women standing side by side in a board meeting room. One has long blonde and wears a white blazer and the other has red hair and wears glasses and a mustard-colored cardigan. An American flag and canvas posters are visible in the background.

Community Partner Spotlight

Elon University's Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education was recognized for their Teach for Alamance scholarship program. The program offers full tuition and a stipend to teacher-candidate graduates who enroll in the Master of Education in Innovation program and commit to teaching in ABSS for two years.

Six ABSS Teach for Alamance First Year participants were introduced:

  • Malaina Carter (South Mebane Elementary)

  • Grant Doherty (Southern Middle)

  • Julia Kearney (North Graham Elementary)

  • Meghan Malone (South Mebane Elementary)

  • Samuel Martin (Highland Elementary)

  • Anna Sophia Steinki (Andrews Elementary)

Three teachers are in their second year of the program:

  • Matthew Trez (Turrentine Middle)

  • Matthew LaFluria (Southeast Alamance High)

  • Zoe Rein (Eastern Alamance High)

The participants were joined by Dr. Ann Bullock, Dean, and Lesley Henry, Director of Education Outreach of the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.

The Board thanks Elon University and the Jo Watts Williams School of Education for their continued support of public schools in Alamance County.

A group of about a dozen people, mostly women, standing in a line. Several wear t-shirts that say "Teach for Alamance". They're holding red gift bags and standing in front of educational posters and an American flag. The room appears to be a school board meeting space.

Curriculum Updates

  • The upcoming High School Options Fair was announced for October 5 at Holly Hill Mall from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.

  • School Improvement Plans for all ABSS schools were presented and approved. Schools utilize NCSTAR as the tool for planning and monitoring their School Improvement Plans and all plans are available online. 

  • Three field trips were approved for E.M. Holt Elementary, Southern High School Band, and Southern High School FFA.

  • Additional field trips were approved for Alamance-Burlington Early College and Western Alamance High School Band with the Consent Agenda earlier in the meeting. 

Policy Revisions

  • Policy 8210 Grants and Funding for Special Projects was revised and approved. This is the final reading of the recommended revision to this policy.

  • Several other policy revisions were presented for second reading and unanimously approved.

Donations and Gifts

The board approved several generous donations to various schools and programs, including:

  • $1,500 worth of lumber for Southern Alamance High School Carpentry Department

  • $1,500 in school supplies for students in need

  • $4,000 for Southern Alamance Middle School football program

  • $3,500 for Hawfields Middle School Football Program

  • $8,790 to the district's Needy Children's Fund

  • $7,250 for grounds improvement at E.M. Yoder Elementary School

Operations and Infrastructure

Several contracts were presented and approved for various infrastructure improvements:

  1. $1,241,800 for roof replacement at Western Middle School

  2. Security camera and keyless entry system installations at multiple schools:

    • Eastlawn Elementary: $110,725

    • Sylvan Elementary: $159,262

    • Elon Elementary: $117,007

  3. Fire alarm panel and notification device migrations at several schools, totaling over $500,000

  4. Window blind installations at three schools, totaling $195,000

  5. $109,053.39 from community donations for a new playground system at Garrett Elementary School

Additionally, the board approved the sale of land to the NCDOT for a right of way along Graham Hopedale Road adjacent to Eastlawn Elementary School for $118,175.

Personnel Update

The board approved the personnel report, which included the appointment of Mary Cohn as the new Assistant Principal at North Graham Elementary. Cohn brings 15 years of education experience, including 5 years with ABSS as an Exceptional Children's Program Specialist.

This comprehensive meeting showcased the ABSS's commitment to recognizing excellence, fostering community partnerships, and improving infrastructure to enhance the educational experience for all students in the district.