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Alabaster City Schools held a special celebration to energize and motivate its educators for the coming school year and to keep them informed during Institute Day on Monday, Aug. 5. (For the Reporter/Alabaster City Schools)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – A sea of Alabaster educators sat quietly and listened intently as guest speaker James Spann paced about the stage while delivering a rousing speech that reminded them of the life-altering importance of their jobs.

“If you hear anything I say today, hear this,” Spann said. “You will never know what you’ve done for a child this year until the day that you go to heaven.”

Alabaster City Schools held a special celebration to energize and motivate its educators for the coming school year and to keep them informed during Institute Day on Monday, Aug. 5.

The celebration began with an array of percussive sound as Thompson High school’s drum line strolled across the stage while playing to start a pep rally which featured Thompson High School’s cheerleading squad at the forefront of the auditorium alongside a dazzling display by the school’s majorettes.

Afterward, the school’s JROTC presented the colors and led the pledge of allegiance, followed by a performance of the National Anthem.

ACS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers welcomed everyone to Institute Day and expressed his appreciation for the all of the students who led the opening pep rally.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome you back (for) the 2024-2025 school year and Institute (Day) for Alabaster City Schools,” Vickers said. “I just want to thank you, for all that you do for Alabaster City Schools.”

Vickers was joined in attendance of Institute Day by ACS Board of Education President Adam Moseley as well as the rest of the members of the board. Additionally, Alabaster Mayor Scott Brakefield and members of the Alabaster City Council were present to show their support.

“I just want to say thank you so much for all you do,” Moseley said. “As a parent—I still have one here at the high school—and we really appreciate everything that you do for our children. So, on behalf of all of our parents in Alabaster, thank you so much.”

As Vickers returned to the stage, he highlighted the many enhancements the school system has made, including improvements to all five of its schools in recent years.

“Alabaster City Schools is known around the state and the nation for our commitment to excellence,” Vickers said. “We build champions right here in Alabaster through academics, athletics and the arts, the dedication of you and the critical and generous support of our board of education, along with the backing of our city and legislative officials—all combined to create a thriving school system.”

During his remarks at Institute Day, Vickers spotlighted the school’s academic progress, including ACAP scores for elementary and middle school education that exceeded the state average, high dual enrollment program enlistment, a graduation rate of 98 percent and college and career readiness level of 98 percent.

“The main thing that we work on throughout our school system is academic progress,” Vickers said. “I want you to know I’m very proud of the work that’s being done in our district academically. It takes everyone, every day and I think that’s very important.”

Before closing, Vickers highlighted the importance of competition and delivered a challenge to the teachers in attendance to continue to build champions.

“Everyone should have that desire to be better than before,” Vickers said. “I challenge you to give your job your all, engage in PD (personal development) and always seek ways to deepen your knowledge. I challenge you to be a part of your team. Be engaged‚ whether it’s your grade level, your leadership team, whether it’s just working with someone in your school. Do more than expected and do it well.”

Vickers introduced this year’s guest speaker, award-winning meteorologist of ABC 33/40, James Spann who delivered a message with two major points with the first one being “don’t quit.”

“I know there’s been a time in your career when you came home from teaching and you wanted to quit,” Spann said. “I know what you deal with… I know the challenges that you face.”

Spann discussed the difficult situations he faced himself as a young child after his father left and how he had to get a job at the age of 7. He shared that it was then that he learned the importance of being a hard worker.

“I’m thankful in many ways that work ethic changed me and it’s carried me through life in so many ways,” Spann said. “And to do what you do successfully, and to do what I do successfully, you have to work hard and I challenge you do that.”

Spann’s second and final point of his message had to do with the lasting impact that teaching leaves on others and how, many times, teachers will never fully know how much they’ve impacted their students.

“The years go by so quick and you get older, it goes by quicker and faster and it accelerates,” Spann said.  “So, enjoy the year, be the best you can be and remembers my two points. Don’t quit and understand you’ll never, ever know what you’ve done for a child until the day you go to heaven.”

Before the celebration ended, teachers heard from a second guest speaker from Retirement Systems of Alabama who shared critical information for teachers regarding their retirement.

Vickers closed out the 2024 installment of Institute Day by sharing a few final words with all of the educators and teachers in attendance.

“Let’s make this year the best ever,” Vickers said.

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