Russell County School Board honors Priscilla Hall as Teacher of the Year and Merle Plaster as Employee of the Year

The Russell County School Board recognized Priscilla Hall, a teacher at Castlewood Elementary, as the district’s 2024–25 Teacher of the Year and honored Merle Plaster of Belfast Elementary as the 2024–25 County Employee of the Year.

Dr. Hoover (role read as presenter) explained the district selection process, saying nominations are collected from September through May and reviewed by a committee before naming a Teacher of the Year. Priscilla Hall was introduced and presented with a certificate from the board.

Multiple speakers praised Hall’s connection with students and parents. One speaker noted that Hall’s relationship with a student prompted the child to attend summer school and renewed the family’s enthusiasm for school. Georgia McCoy assisted with recognitions on behalf of the board; a presenter described Hall as someone whose “students know that she genuinely cares for each of them by the things she does for them, not only in the classroom, but in their lives.”

The board also named Merle Plaster, a cafeteria manager at Belfast Elementary, as employee of the year. Linda Miller, identified in the meeting as Plaster’s principal, said Plaster has worked in the school cafeteria for decades and “has shown us what it means to face adversity with grace.” Miller and other speakers said Plaster quietly supports students in need, including providing clothing and supplies when necessary; speakers said Plaster recently was diagnosed with breast cancer but continued in her role and that she remains a steady presence for students.

Both recognitions were presented formally with certificates. No board votes were required for those recognitions; they were presented as part of the meeting’s recognitions segment.