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Shelby County Schools Superintendent Randy Fuller, right, hugs Elvin Hill Elementary School student Sarah Elizabeth Shelton after her presentation at the SCS Showcase Luncheon on Thursday, April 20 at Valleydale Church. (REPORTER PHOTOS/KEITH MCCOY)

NORTH SHELBY – A “paradigm shift” for Shelby County Schools will mean a focus on the development of the total child, Superintendent Randy Fuller announced at the Fourth Annual Showcase Luncheon.

The event was held on Thursday, April 20, at Valleydale Church.

Schools throughout the system set up booths at the church and offered information to stakeholders about everything from robotics to athletics.

The luncheon was hosted by the Shelby County Schools Education Foundation and sponsored by Regions, and the company’s North Central Alabama area president Leroy Abrahams addressed those in attendance.

“When we think about who’s affecting the future generation and really the current generation, it’s you,” Abrahams said to the educators.

The focus on development of the total child will include students setting goals and taking ownership of their own education through enhanced leadership, Fuller said.

Fuller highlighted the school system’s 20,300 students, 31 schools, 2,608 employees and 95 percent graduation rate.

SCS was the only county system, and the largest overall system, to receive an “A” on the state’s report card.

“In the past year, we’ve seen great strides in everything we do,” Fuller said. “This is the best year we’ve ever had as a school system in Shelby County.”

Fuller said the system’s former goal was to go from “good to great,” but the focus has shifted to going to “great to greater.”

“We believe that the best systems continue to get better,” Fuller said.

Lynn Carroll, assistant superintendent of instruction, noted the old perception of education in “reading, writing and arithmetic.”

“We still do all the basics, but instruction today is so much more than just these three,” Carroll said.

Assistant Superintendent Lewis Brooks introduced the first guest speaker of the event, Helena Mayor Mark Hall.

Hall said he is a “proud product” of Montevallo schools, his teachers helped form his life and he respects the importance of education in his current role.

“Successful schools are the forefront of every successful city,” Hall said.

Elvin Hill Elementary School fifth grader Sarah Elizabeth Shelton talked about Elvin Hill being a “Leader in Me” school, how it has impacted her and steps that have been taken to enhance leadership.

“We wanted to find ways to give more students opportunities to show leadership,” Shelton said.

Shelton discussed “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” read her mission statement and discussed shifting paradigms, including schools focusing solely on academic achievement to developing the whole person.

After Shelton’s presentation, Shelby County High School graduate and Miss UAB Harley Chapin held a question-and-answer session with Calera High School standout seniors—and twin brothers—Alex and Jaramy Dozier.

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