Jefferson County Schools has named Leslie Miller Chatta and Shernell Lewis as the district’s teachers of the year. Chatta won in the elementary division. Lewis won in the secondary.
Leslie Miller Chatta is the STEM Teacher at Pinson Elementary. She has been in the teaching profession for over thirty years. Before taking on STEM responsibilities, Mrs. Chatta enjoyed teaching second grade at Pinson. Mrs. Chatta has been a Lead Mentor, an E-team Leader, and has served on various committees. She has been instrumental in implementing programs involving community stakeholders and feeder pattern schools to promote and ensure student success in the community.
Shernell Lewis is an 8th grade Physical Science teacher at Hueytown Middle School. She is currently in her 7th year of teaching in JEFCOED. She has earned a National certificate for STEM Teaching from the National Institute for STEM Education. She takes pride in incorporating innovative lessons to foster student engagement and understanding of science concepts, as well as real-world applications. Ms. Lewis’s ultimate goal is to be the founder and CEO of a STEM program providing today’s youth opportunities to grow academically and develop socially within a safe space as they pursue their interest and delve deeper into STEM related content/careers.
“Both of these teachers have set the bar incredibly high. They are the example of what teachers should strive to become. Both of them bring their best every day, to get the best out of their students. We are grateful for their unwavering commitment to education, and we are blessed to have them in our district,” said Dr. Walter Gonsoulin, Superintendent.
Both teachers will now go on to compete for Alabama Teacher of the Year.