The Chilton County Board of Education held an in-service for all of its employees on Aug. 5 in the Jefferson State Community College Conference Center. The room was packed with educators who received thanks and inspiration for the upcoming year.

Employees were treated to a continental breakfast, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer to start the day.

Educators were then encouraged with a speech from local student Riley Locke. He thanked them on behalf of all students for their hard work and dedication to the children of Chilton County.

Reports on transportation, special education, child nutrition, professional development, maintenance, energy, the career tech center, technology and the graduation rate followed to keep employees informed and encourage them to continue improving the county’s schools.

At the end of the event, Superintendent Tommy Glasscock gave a speech to inspire and motivate teachers, faculty, and staff. He challenged teachers to motivate students and get every child on board.

“We’ve got to take the same spirit we have behind sports and somehow put it into the classroom,” said Glasscock, noting the passion he has seen in many student athletes and their coaches. “They need to find what’s relevant to them, and then we need to provide them the appropriate education.”

Glasscock stressed the importance of a unified school district and getting to know students.

“Love these children. They’re our children,” said Glasscock. He encouraged teachers to better understand their students’ needs in order to provide a better education.

A few new programs were mentioned during the speech, including a virtual school and a new sports medicine class. The virtual classroom will allow self-motivated high school students to take classes online and come one day a week to take proctored tests to ensure progress.

A new sports medicine class is one step being taken to cater education to the unique learning capabilities of every student. It will be provided in partnership with Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness and be held at Chilton County High School. The class will allow students who are interested in sports medicine to gain experience with the subject without having to find the course at a college.

Teresa Knott, a teacher at Jemison Elementary School, said that she was inspired by the in-service. She agrees that a unified school district is important for Chilton County, and she is most excited about the virtual school program.

“I think it is moving our schools into the future,” said Knott.

Chilton County Schools start back on Aug. 9. For more information on the school system, visit Chilton.k12.al.us.