Mobile County Public Schools honors state and national award winners among teachers and support staff

The Mobile County Public Schools Board of School Commissioners on an unspecified date recognized multiple teachers and student-support staff for state and national honors, including two teachers who received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and one teacher who received the Milken Educator Award.

The recognitions included Nicole Bolton and David Dye of Barton Academy, recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The White House and the National Science Foundation honor winners of that award; the board noted each recipient will be honored at the White House and receive $10,000 as part of the award. Bolton was described in remarks to the board as a computer science and STEM teacher who sponsors Barton’s robotics program and has participated in multiple teacher institutes and fellowships. Dye was described as an accelerated math and geometry teacher, a National Board–certified teacher and a University of Alabama master teacher fellow.

The board also acknowledged Mary Travis, a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Gilliard Elementary, who received the Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 prize. Board remarks said Travis was the only Alabama teacher to receive the Milken award this year and the seventh Mobile County Public Schools teacher to receive the honor.

In counseling and social-work recognitions, Kimberly Jones of Nangre Davis Elementary School was named Alabama’s school counselor of the year and will represent the state at the American School Counselor Association conference, where she will be eligible for national recognition. Lauren Henson, a district social worker in the MGM feeder pattern, was recognized as Alabama’s school social worker of the year; the board described Henson as an advocate who helped organize community forums on fentanyl and substance abuse and who helped create a prom “Bridal Closet” program.

Board members and district staff on the record commended the awardees for classroom innovation, student supports and community engagement. The board acknowledged principals and district supervisors who accompanied honorees, including Dr. Amanda Jones, principal associated with Barton Academy; Mr. Agnew, identified as a principal for Nangre Davis; and Dr. Monica Motley, counseling supervisor.

The recognitions were presented near the start of the meeting; board members asked honorees to return to their schools after the brief presentation so students and staff could resume the school day.