By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers admitted teacher confidence in the Alabaster School System was a little higher on May 13 than it was at the beginning of the school year.

“You all took a leap of faith,” Vickers said during the Alabaster Education Association and Alabaster Education Support Personnel’s end of the year reception at Thompson High School on May 13. “You took at leap of faith that your paychecks would keep coming each month.

To date, we haven’t missed mailing out a single paycheck,” Vickers added, drawing applause from the about 50 Alabaster teachers and support personnel gathered in the school’s lunchroom.  “We have turned into a real strong family. I truly appreciate all of you, and I don’t get a chance to thank you enough.”

During the reception, Alabaster Education Association members presented certificates of appreciation to Education Association representatives at each school: Karen Scott at Thompson Middle, Donna Ott at Thompson Intermediate, Morrisa Fancher at TIS, Chaille Raines at Meadow View Elementary, Stephanie Reynolds at MVEW, Tanya Wildman at MVES, Maggie Galamore at Creek View Elementary and Susan Beard at Thompson Sixth Grade Center.

Teachers of the Year from each school: Kathy Matthews at MVES, Katie Mantel at THS, Karri Allen at CVES, Melanie Bales at TSGC, Shay Traywick at TIS and Amanda Wilbanks at TMS received $25 gift cards.

Alabaster Education Support Personnel honored its Support Professionals of the Year: TMS bookkeeper Keysha Thomaston, TIS bookkeeper Lei Anne Woods and TSGC registrar Jan Roper.

The association also presented $1,000 scholarships to Sarah Beth Holdbrooks, a THS senior planning to attend Shelton State Community College, and Ronna Sanford, a THS science teacher planning to further her professional development at Dauphin Island.

Retiring Alabaster educators and support personnel Connie Hammond, Laurie Watson and Chaille Raines also received $50 gift cards from the association.