Midweek Minute with the Superintendent

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller reflected on the close of the 2025-2026 school year while celebrating the accomplishments of Sylacauga High School valedictorian Casey Malone and salutatorian Carly Mae Rivers following graduation. They discussed academic achievement, athletics, leadership, scholarships, and the experiences that shaped this year’s graduating class, while also looking back on a school year filled with new programs, statewide honors, student achievements, fine arts showcases, and continued growth across Sylacauga City Schools.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller and Executive Director of Learning and Teaching Jessica Hahn discussed the busy final weeks of the school year, including graduation activities, the district art show at the Comer Museum, and the senior walkthrough tradition across Sylacauga City Schools. They also talk about Hahn’s transition into her new leadership role, her background in education, and the work being done to support teachers, administrators, and student achievement throughout the district.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller and Sylacauga City Schools Data Manager Danny Stephens discussed Teacher Appreciation Week, the impact educators and support staff have on students, and the different ways the community can recognize school employees during the final weeks of the school year. They also explained how the Alabama Virtual Classical Academy works, who can enroll, the expansion into grades 9 and 10, and why the tuition-free statewide program offers families another flexible public school option through Sylacauga City Schools.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller and Executive Director of Technology Mike Robinson highlighted Sylacauga High School being named a 2026 CLAS Banner School, placing it among eight schools statewide recognized for student achievement and innovative programming. They also outlined the district’s early online registration process for the 2026-2027 school year, including enrollment timelines, digital document uploads, class scheduling, kindergarten registration, and the steps families can take now to prepare for August.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.David McCurley and Dr. Eller sat down with Isaac Jennings and Nancy Dixon from the East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub (EARTH) to discuss Earth Day Week, including the VIP Designer Showcase Event on April 23 featuring sustainable fashion designer Jeff Garner, and the Community Gathering on April 24.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Crimson Jeffers joined Michael Brannon in-studio while Dr. Michelle Eller called in from San Diego. Dr. Eller talked about her time at the ASU+GSV Summit, where she served on a panel discussing Alabama’s approach to cybersecurity in schools.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Michele Eller highlighted the second annual Tour of Schools, an event designed to showcase everything Sylacauga City Schools has to offer to stakeholders, community members, and prospective families and students. Public Relations Coordinator Crimson Jeffers joined the conversation to share more details on the event.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller talked with K-5 Choral Music Instructor Lindsay Lewis and 6-12 Choral Music and Theater Director Savannah Brannan about the impact fine arts programs are having on students throughout Sylacauga City Schools.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller welcomed Elementary Visual Art Teacher Brooke Garrett and Middle School Visual Art Teacher and High School TV Production Instructor J.C. Reams to explore the expansion of visual arts programs across Sylacauga City Schools and the creative opportunities now available to students from pre-k through high school. They celebrated student achievements at state competitions, explain how art education nurtures confidence and critical thinking, and reflect on the impact dedicated art instruction has on creativity, self-expression, and artistic development.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller welcomed Sylacauga City Schools Director of Bands Samuel Childs and Middle School Band Director and Assistant High School Band Director Emily Peterson to spotlight the district’s growing fine arts program and the progress students make from middle school into high school band. They reflected on recent Music Performance Assessment results, including superior ratings and perfect scores, while also sharing how fundamentals, creativity, and consistent practice shape student musicians throughout the year.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller brings in Sylacauga Men’s Basketball Head Coach Joel Jones and Assistant Coach Skylar Patterson to discuss their incredible season and preview their upcoming Final Four appearance.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller was joined by Transportation Services Director Ward King, Transportation Supervising Assistant Christine Goodson, and CFO and Operations Supervisor Tom Osborne to highlight the importance of student transportation and recognize the employees who keep Sylacauga City Schools moving each day. They discussed school bus safety, driver training, route coordination, fleet upgrades, and the behind-the-scenes effort involved in getting students to and from school, athletic events, and field trips safely and efficiently.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller highlighted Career Technical Education Month and the expanding opportunities available through Sylacauga City Schools’ CTE programs alongside Career Coach Callie Sanchez and Communications Coordinator Crimson Jeffers. They covered early career exploration, hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships while previewing upcoming competitions and events that showcase student readiness for college, technical training, and the workforce.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Michele Eller shined a light on Black History Month with special guests from Sylacauga High School, including senior and Black Student Union president Sage Wytch, history teacher and BSU co-sponsor Terrance Howser, and math teacher and BSU co-sponsor Loretta Player.

Listen to this week’s episode of Midweek Minute with the Superintendent featuring Dr. Michele Eller of Sylacauga City Schools.Dr. Eller was joined by Talladega County EMA Director Leanne Butler to discuss winter weather preparedness and how Sylacauga City Schools make decisions on delays and closures during severe weather.