Each month, the Birmingham Board of Education recognizes the employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to make the district a better place, even when no one is looking. 

These employees are critical to establishing and maintaining a positive culture and a safe, secure, and nurturing learning environment. They inspire their colleagues and our students to pursue excellence, serve others, and collaborate effectively towards common goals. 

During its regularly scheduled board meeting on November 10, the board recognized the following: 

Logan Tillman, Graphic Arts Teacher, Woodlawn High School

Ms. Tillman began as the Graphic Arts teacher at Woodlawn last year and has made a HUGE impact on not only the fine arts department but the school as a whole. 

Ms. Tillman has put together a student media team teaching students skills that will take them beyond the classroom such as video skills, interview skills, and other media related skills. Ms. Tillman also created a school-wide newscast run by students where students share what is happening at the school that week. She has also most recently created a Level 2 Student News Team where students go more in depth covering events happening across the school, including events after school such as football games. 

Ms. Tillman has gone above and beyond since starting at Woodlawn and has made such a huge impact on the culture here - the students are so lucky to be learning these skills from her!

Nominated by: Kaitlyn Nelson, Woodlawn High School

Latasha Oats, CNP Manager, Bush Hills STEAM Academy

Mrs. Oats has transformed the cafeteria into more than just a place where students receive their meals. Through her warm personality, positive attitude, consistency, and genuine care for others, she has created an environment where students and faculty feel valued, welcomed, respected, and seen. 

Each day, Mrs. Oates demonstrates that excellence extends beyond the responsibilities of a job title. She understands that the way we interact with students can influence their entire school experience. She greets students with kindness, encourages positive behavior, and creates an atmosphere that promotes connection and belonging. Her presence has helped make the cafeteria a more positive and inviting space for our Mustang Family. Mrs. Oats also recognizes the importance of building positive relationships with faculty and staff. She consistently contributes to a spirit of teamwork and collaboration, making others feel appreciated and supported. Her willingness to go above and beyond, coupled with her commitment to serving our students, reflects the very best of what Performance Excellence represents.

Mrs. Oats is helping to change the culture one interaction at a time. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication remind us that every member of our school community has the power to make a difference. 

Nominated by: S. Blanding-Glass, School Counselor at Bush Hills STEAM Academy

Kristen Fluker, Library Media Specialist, Virtual Academy of Learning

Kristen Fluker has gone above and beyond by laying out the foundation as the first virtual media specialist at our school. He has created a system of operation for supporting our students, staff, and parents with exceptional tech support. She stays late to make sure our students have the tech resources to be a successful virtual student. 

She also serves many capacities that have positively impacted our school productivity, such as the ACIP leader and the PST Team leader. She delivers professional development to our staff to ensure everyone understands the PST referral process, ACIP data, and creates plans to support students experiencing academic and/or behavior challenges. 

If she identifies a problem, she immediately offers a solution. She has a positive attitude that keeps all stakeholders motivated and valued. She is an outstanding leader in our school and beyond. 

Nominated by: Principal Jessica Wedgeworth, Virtual Academy of Learning

Dewanna Miles, Administrative Secretary, Virtual Academy of Learning

Dewanna Miles serves BCS VAL wearing multiple hats with enthusiasm and dedication. She serves as our secretary, bookkeeper, and database manager.

She welcomes our stakeholders with a positive, empathetic, and compassionate attitude. She goes above and beyond to support our students and parents, ensuring the transition from a traditional to virtual school is seamless. She stays extended hours to get the work done, ensuring that no stone is left unturned. She arrives early and stays late.

Being the first voice they hear and/or the first face that our stakeholders see or hear makes her a valuable part of our VAL Team. Hence, she is eager to learn and get things done right in a timely manner. 

Nominated by: Principal Jessica Wedgeworth, Virtual Academy of Learning

Quincy Wynn, Head Custodian, Richard Arrington Elementary School

On my very first day in the building as principal, Mr. Wynn walked the entire campus with me. As we toured the school, he didn’t simply point out rooms and facilities—he shared his vision for enhancing the appearance of our building and creating an environment that our students, staff, and families could be proud of. It was immediately evident that he doesn’t view custodial work as just a job; he sees it as a calling. His pride in our school and his passion for excellence left a lasting impression on me.

Since that first day, Mr. Wynn has consistently exceeded every expectation. He works tirelessly to ensure Richard Arrington Elementary remains clean, safe, and welcoming each day. His attention to detail and commitment to maintaining our campus reflect the high standards we strive to uphold for our students.

What makes Mr. Wynn truly exceptional is his willingness to serve beyond the scope of his assigned responsibilities. In addition to leading our custodial efforts, he generously assists with our band program and serves as a basketball coach, investing his time and energy into the lives of our students. His impact extends far beyond the walls of our school. After ensuring that Richard Arrington is taken care of, he continues serving neighboring schools, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to Birmingham City Schools and the students we collectively serve.

Mr. Wynn exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond. His servant leadership, positive attitude, and relentless work ethic make him an invaluable member of our school community. He leads with humility, serves with excellence, and consistently puts the needs of others before his own.

Nominated by: Principal Alexis Lillie, Richard Arrington Elementary School