Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy

NAESP Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy Participants

The NAESP Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy™ is a yearlong program designed to promote and build the capacity of principals and program directors to lead Pre-K-3 communities. The NAESP Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy™ is provided in partnership with CLAS and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. The NAESP

Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy™ has been offered in Alabama since 2017.

A dedicated team of experienced Pre-K-3 advisors helps provide mentorship and guidance to participants throughout the year. The 2024-2025 cohort advisors were Paula Bruno, Tanya Guin, Waller Martin, Dena Mayfield, Haley Moore, Kara Scholl, Camille Wright, and Tracey Wray.

The following NAESP Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy™ participants were recognized at the 2025 CLAS Convention during the Awards Luncheon on June 10, 2025.

Alabama’s NAESP Pre-K-3 Leadership Academy Participants

• Paul Agnew, Nan Gray Davis Elementary, Mobile County

• Amy Atkins, Carbon Hill Elementary, Walker County

• Jonathon Barron, Union Hill School, Morgan County

• Nicholas Bolding, Brindlee Mountain Primary, Marshall County

• Kelia Browder, Union Springs Elementary, Bullock County

• Merideth Buzbee, Sumiton Middle, Walker County

• Margaret Collins, West Smiths Station Elementary, Lee County

• Heather Collum, Sheffield City Schools

• Julie Cordell, Robert D Sloman Primary, Marshall County

• Janice Drake, Charles A. Brown Elementary, Birmingham City

• Shana Ervin, Jackson-Steele Elementary, Lowndes County

• Amelia Evans, Madison Cross Roads Elementary, Madison County

• Julie Flippo, W.A. Threadgill Primary, Sheffield City

• Tina Garst, Faine Elementary, Dothan City

• Cheritta Hayes, McCalla Elementary, Jefferson County

• Emily Herbert, New Brockton Elementary, Coffee County

• Dalton Holyfield, Southern Choctaw Elementary, Choctaw County

• Kristi Hopper, Boaz Elementary, Boaz City

• Antonia Ishman, Booker T. Washington K-8, Birmingham City

• Chakema Jackson, Rocky Ridge Elementary, Hoover City

• Michelle Jones, Curry Elementary, Walker County

• Kristi July, Covenant Academy of Mobile

• Laura Lamb, Barkley Bridge Elementary, Hartselle City

• Warren Lewis, Hemphill Elementary, Birmingham City

• Lisa Long, Huffman Academy, Birmingham City

• Nicholas Looney, Athens Elementary, Athens City

• Amy Lowe, Chickasaw City Schools

• Jessica Norwood, G.W. Trenholm Primary, Tuscumbia City

• Stephanie Parker, Huffman Academy, Birmingham City

• Ryan Roberson, Lauderdale County Elementary, Lauderdale County

• Tiffany Scissum, Brewbaker Primary, Montgomery County

• Cilia Smith, Kate D. Smith DAR Elementary, Marshall County

• Sheneta Smith, Howell-Graves Preschool, Muscle Shoals City

• Matthew Syesta, W.A. Threadgill Primary, Sheffield City

• Michele Thomason, West Smiths Station Elementary, Lee County

• Marc Tracy, Haleyville Elementary, Haleyville City

• Ashley Uhrig, Good Hope Primary, Cullman County

• Kendra Walker, Parkside Elementary, Cullman County

• Chandra Watkins, West End Academy, Birmingham City

• Marcus West, Sumter Central High, Sumter County

• Kimberly Williams, Saraland Early Education Center, Saraland City

• Barry Wilson, Sumiton Elementary, Walker County