As we wrap up National School Counseling Week, we're grateful for the counselors across our district who show up every day for our students! They support, encourage, and advocate with passion, bringing tremendous heart to our schools. We're so thankful for you🫶!
14 days ago, JEFCOED
A school counselor stands in front of the Jefferson County school district background. She is celebrating and holding her arms up. The sign in her hands says school counseling programs amplify student success by celebrating them!
A group of people huddle together while smiling at the camera. The group includes a principal, school, counselor, and students. They are all celebrating national school counselor week at Clay elementary school.
A school counselor stands with two young elementary school students. They are all wearing unique hats. The school counselor in the back has on a black cowboy style hat, the girl in the front left is on a red, cowboy hat, and the boy on the right has on a blue beanie style hat.
A school counselor is being celebrated during national school counselor appreciation week. She is holding a vase full of pink and red flowers. In the background are several cut out red hearts with custom messages.
A school counselor is standing in front of a colorful bulletin board. She is smiling and holding a book that says the coffee bean for kids.
Two people are bringing a school, counselor a pot of flowers, a gift, and some yellow and purple balloons. They are celebrating her for national school counseling week.
A school counselor is standing in an elementary school classroom. She is holding a vase full of red roses. She is being celebrated for national school counseling week.
School counselor is standing in front of a banner that says, "I know this is a little cheesy, but you're our favorite school counselor. Happy school, counselor appreciation week."
#GoodThingsHappening!💙 We are thrilled to share that more than two dozen JEFCOED schools earned the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Certification! To earn this honor, these schools had to have an ENERGY STAR score of at least 75, meaning they run at least 75% more efficiently than similar buildings across the country.

In recognition of their commitment to energy conservation and sustainability, Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin and representatives from Cenergistic presented 27 of our schools with awards and certificates at this week’s board meeting! Please help us congratulate the following schools:

Bagley Elementary, Bragg Middle, Brookville Elementary, Bryant Park Elementary, Burkett Center, Center Point Elementary, Chalkville Elementary, Clay Elementary, Corner Middle, Erwin
Intermediate, Erwin Middle, Gardendale Elementary, Gardendale High, Hueytown Primary, McAdory High, McCalla Elementary, Minor High, Minor Middle, North Jefferson Middle, Pinson Elementary, Pinson Valley High, Pleasant Grove Elementary, JCIB MYP, Rudd
Middle, Shades Valley High, U.W. Clemon Elementary, and Warrior Elementary.
28 days ago, JEFCOED
JEFCOED principals with schools that received the Energy Star award stand together for a photo with Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin and representatives from Cenergistic in the JEFCOED board room.
Gardendale High School's principal holds an Energy Star award and smiles for a photo.
Two JEFCOED principals pose for a photo with Energy Star awards in their hands while standing in the hallway of the board of education.
McAdory High School's principal poses for a photo in the JEFCOED board room while holding an Energy Star award.
Clay Elementary's Cougar Cubs enjoyed an extra special start to their Friday thanks to the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi's Trussville-Pell City Alumni Chapter!🐾📚 We appreciate these guest readers for introducing our students to new books, allowing them to explore their imaginations, expand their vocabulary skills, and grow their love for literature! Thank you all for spending this meaningful morning with our students!
29 days ago, JEFCOED
A man sits in a chair and reads a book to a classroom of students as they sit on the floor.
A man wearing a Kappa Alpha Psi shirt reads to a classroom of students.
A man sits in a chair and reads to a classroom of students sitting on the floor.
A group of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity members stand together for a photo in a school gym while holding books.
A man sits in a chair and reads to a group of students sitting in the floor of a classroom.
A man reads to students in a classroom as they sit at tables.
It's School Board Recognition Month! 🍎 Please join us in honoring our board members for their commitment to students, service to our community, and championship-level leadership. We simply could not achieve what we do without your support!
about 2 months ago, JEFCOED
Graphic thanking the Jefferson County Schools' School Board. Pictured are Ronnie Dixion, Board President, Stephanie Floyd, Board Vice President, Carita Venable, Board Member, Walter Curry, Board Member, and Glenn Durough, Board Member. The text in the middle says, "Thank You JEFCOED School Board"
These photos warm our hearts!💙 After writing to each other all semester, Ms. Watson’s 2nd grade class at Clay Elementary and Ms. Lopresti’s class at CCHS were able to meet in person, and even exchange heartfelt gifts!

Mentorship and meaningful connections are so powerful, and we are incredibly grateful these students were able to bond in this special way.

We sincerely thank everyone who made this partnership possible! What a beautiful way to end the first semester!
about 2 months ago, JEFCOED
Clay-Chalkville High School students and Clay Elementary students walk together outside a school building. One pair of students hug and another student carries a younger student on their back.
Clay-Chalkville High School students stand together for a photo inside a school hallway.
Clay-Chalkville High School and Clay Elementary School students stand and sit together for a photo inside a school classroom.
A student writes a letter inside a classroom.
The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but these pictures have captured our hearts!!💚🎄

This month, several of our schools celebrated Grinch Day, with students showing off Who-inspired hairstyles and Grinch-themed outfits! Some schools even enjoyed visits from the green guy himself! These smiles say it all. What a fun way to end the first semester!
2 months ago, JEFCOED
A person in a Grinch costume holds a smiling student while standing in a school hallway.
Teachers stand in a school and smile while posing next to someone in a Grinch costume. In front of the people, two ceramic geese sit on the floor wearing Christmas-themed outfits.
Children wearing Grinch-themed outfits pose next to someone in a Grinch costume while standing inside a school.
A woman dressed like a "Who" poses next to someone wearing a Grinch costume.
A child and an adult, both dressed like the Grinch point at eachother while standing inside a school hallway.
Students and a teacher dressed in Grinch-themed outfits smile for a photo while standing and sitting in a school hallway.
A student wearing a holiday outfit stands in a school hallway and poses next to an adult wearing a Grinch costume.
Students wearing Grinch-themed outfits stand and sit in a school hallway and pose with a teacher and an adult wearing a grinch costume.
Students wearing Grinch-themed outfits pose for a photo inside a school library.
We appreciate each student who attended our first Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council meeting of the year! During these meetings, student representatives from throughout our district participate in thought-provoking conversations with Dr. Gonsoulin. These discussions are invaluable and allow us to continue growing as a district. Thank you again to everyone who participated!
5 months ago, JEFCOED
JEFCOED Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin stands in a library and talks to children. The students sit at tables in the library. Some have their hands raised.
JEFCOED Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin stands in a library and talks to students. The students are sitting at tables.
JEFCOED Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin stands in a room and talks to students who are sitting at tables.
JEFCOED Superintendent Dr. Gonsoulin stands next to a student. Both are smiling at the camera.
Today is School Custodian Appreciation Day, and we hope you'll join us in celebrating our outstanding custodians here at JEFCOED!🎉
These heroes not only ensure students and teachers spend their days in clean, safe environments, but also spread positivity throughout their schools. We appreciate all they do to help our district thrive! When you see your school custodian today, be sure to tell them thank you!
5 months ago, JEFCOED
The image is a graphic with text that reads "JEFCOED Honoring the Unsung Heroes of Cleanliness and Order thank you for all you do! Happy Custodian Appreciation Day" The background of the graphic has bubbles, a mop and cleaning supplies on it.
We are SO excited to share that the Jefferson County School District has been awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Be Healthy Grant for the VERY first time!🎉👏 Mr. Christopher Reeves, Physical Education Supervisor for Jefferson County Schools, says, “This is a meaningful moment for our district, as it reflects the dedication of so many who believe in the power of physical education to shape healthier lives for our students.” Mr. Reeves adds that this grant will provide everything from exercise bikes to agility ladders, benefiting and inspiring students and educators. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
6 months ago, JEFCOED
Children play with yoga balls inside a gym.
Children hit pool noodles on yoga balls inside a gym.
The image is a graphic with text on it that reads "We Won Be Healthy School Grant Program"
All smiles during Dads on Duty at Clay Elementary!🐾📚
Dads and father figures helped students end their week on a high note by offering words of encouragement and plenty of high-fives during morning drop-off!👏🤩
We appreciate everyone who participated in Friday’s event! These moments mean the world to our students, and we thank our volunteers for making them feel special!
6 months ago, JEFCOED
A man carries a child through an elementary school.
Children walk along a school side walk as a man helps with carline.
A police officer smiles toward the camera while helping with school drop-off.
Dads talk to students in an elementary school cafeteria.
A group of men and students stand together and smile.
Children walk into a school while men help with carline.
A man stands next to a girl who is wearing a safety vest.
Our Back to School Conference is in the books!📚 We want to give a huge thank you to our educators and administrators for making today such a success! You are laying the foundation for a wonderful school year, and it’s clear that “Alabama has something to say!” We can’t wait to see our classrooms filled up again in just a few short days!
7 months ago, JEFCOED
A group of people stand in a room and talk to each other.
A man and a woman stand together and smile
A large group of people sit in an auditorium
A man stands on a stage and talks
New Teacher Orientation ✏️📘👏 We're so excited to greet our new educators and officially bring them into the JEFCOED family! You're joining a district committed to Inspiring Change and Creating Impact, one student at a time. We're so glad you're here!

Special thanks to Leslie Chatta and Shernell Lewis, our 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year, for sharing powerful words of encouragement and inspiration. We're also grateful to Gardendale High School, along with our many staff and volunteers who helped make the day such a success!
7 months ago, JEFCOED
School employees greeting educators at a registration desk.
Jefferson County School District drawstring bag on a registration table
Teachers signing in at a registration table for New Teacher Orientation.
Two school leaders smiling for the camera.
Two educators giving each other a hug across the shoulders.
Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin speaking on stage during New Teacher Orientation.
Teachers walking and visiting in a hallway.
Shernell Lewis holding a microphone and presenting onstage.
Leslie Chatta holding a microphone and presenting on stage.
Leslie Chatta and Shernell Lewis posing for a picture with greenery behind them.
Creativity is SOARing over at Clay Elementary! Thanks to Eri Taguchi and Samford University, our SOAR Program students were able to learn the art of origami! Their creations were😸PAWSitively😸incredible!
8 months ago, JEFCOED
Large group of students sitting in room at tables, making origami
Large group of students making origami
Two students sitting at table, making origami
Woman giving a presentation in front of a group of young students
Students attending SOAR at Clay Elementary School had the coolest visitors stop by this week🐫🐐! Hank the Camel and his four-legged friends taught our students so much, and also provided plenty of entertainment! We love when learning is fun and memorable, and we’re so happy Hank and his pals came by!
8 months ago, JEFCOED
Young children feeding camel
Children and adult standing, petting goat
Two children standing, petting camel with adults standing in the background
Three children standing together with adults and children in the background. Two of the children at the front of the photo are staring at a camel while another feeds it. The people in the background are standing near animals.
Three children smiling, standing next to camel
Please help us wish a very happy retirement to these JEFCOED counselors! We appreciate all you’ve done to support our students, and will miss you dearly! Best wishes as you start this next chapter! 🎉Scott Mohon, Director of Assessment, Accountability, and Student Support 🎉Ellen Irvine, Bragg Middle School Counselor 🎉Julie Ammons, Pleasant Grove High School Counselor 🎉Mandi Evans, Clay Elementary School, Clay, Alabama Counselor 🎉Penny Ford, Career Technical Education Counselor 🎉Sabrina Porrill, Bragg Middle School Counselor
8 months ago, JEFCOED
Tina Evans, Dr. Jeffrey Moore and Dr. Scott Mohon standing together
Ellen Irvine, Bragg Middle School Counselor holding sign that says "LAST first day!"
Julie Ammons, Pleasant Grove High School Counselor standing with Scott Mohon
Mandi Evans standing next to Scott Mohon
Penny Ford standing next to Scott Mohon
Sabrina Porill standing next man, smiling at camera
The SOAR🚀 (Strengthening Our Academic Reasoning) summer learning program is off to a fantastic start this week, combining academic learning with a side of summer fun!😎🥤 We dropped by the Clay Elementary School location to check out the students and staff in action — and wow, they were busy! We're so proud of the hard work that's already underway and can't wait to see all the growth this summer brings. Keep it up, SOAR stars! 🌟
9 months ago, JEFCOED
A young student smiling while working in a math notebook.
A teacher is working with a group of students. She is holding up a card with the letter "y" on it.
Students sit outside a school and enjoy icees.
A student smiles while showing off his math work.
A teacher and student taking a break outdoors. The student is waving.
A teacher write on a white board while students watch.
Two students swing on a swing set.
A teacher works with a group of students during math time. They are each using orange cups.
Three students smile while playing outdoors.
Students are lined up at the Kona Ice truck waiting to get a cool treat.
🏰📜Hear ye, hear ye! Clay Elementary School 5th-graders stepped back in time for their annual Renaissance Faire. They researched famous figures from the era and delivered amazing presentations filled with knowledge and creativity! We declare it a royal success! 👑⚔️ #HistoryComesToLife
about 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Clay Elementary School students dressed in period clothes for the Renaissance Faire. They are presenting a project on Architecture in the Renaissance.
Clay Elementary School students present their project on The Medici Family during the Renaissance Faire.
Clay Elementary School students present a project on Daily Life in the Renaissance to fellow classmates.
Clay Elementary School teachers dressed in period clothes for the Renaissance Faire.
Clay Elementary School students present their project on Leonardo Da Vinci during the Renaissance Faire.
Students at Clay Elementary School present their project during the Renaissance Faire.
Clay Elementary School Renaissance Faire - Students are dressed in clothing from the era and are presenting their project on Religion and Reformation.
Clay Elementary School - Students present their project on Galileo, Science, and Astronomy.
Clay Elementary School - Students are dressed for the Renaissance Faire.
Clay Elementary School - Students present their project Daily life in the Renaissance.
🎉💙Happy National School Counseling Week 2025!💙 We're celebrating our amazing school counselors and their vital role in helping students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for all you do! #NSCW25 #ThankYouCounselors
about 1 year ago, JEFCOED
School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive National School Counseling Week, February 3-7, 2025, Thank You, School Counselors, American School Counselor Association
Many of us went to sleep on Thursday night, thinking it wouldn't happen after all. And then it did!! The JEFCOED family enjoyed a beautiful snow day on Friday.❄️☃️ Thank you to all of those who sent in pictures. Your smiles and joy warmed our hearts. Here are just a few of the many fantastic pictures we received.
about 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Two girls excitedly sled down the street in the show using a pool float shaped like a dragon.
Three boys stand in front of their home with their hands in the air, celebrating the snow.
A group of young boys pretends to play video games in the snow. They have placed a tv outside and show it hooked up to a snow mound.
Two kids have build a snowman and a an igloo. One boy is inside the igloo and the other boy is standing by the snowman.
Two boys are sledding in the snow with a red sled.
A young girl poses next to a snowman wearing a Snow Rogers Bulldogs shirt.
A boy is riding a sled down his driveway.
A family of three plays in the snow. All of the family members are wearing pink.
A young boy smiles next to a snowman.
A young boy is playing in the snow on a round pool float.
This morning, the Alabama Department of Education approved a resolution recognizing Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr. as the 2025 Alabama Superintendent of the Year!! Dr. Gonsoulin serves State School Board Districts Three, Four, and Seven with heart, vision, and determination. We couldn't be prouder of his leadership. Congratulations, Dr. Gonsoulin! You've made us all #JEFCOEDProud!
about 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. stands with members of the Alabama Department of Education School Board. He is holding a resolution honoring him for being named the 2025 Alabama State Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr. holds a resolution for the Alabama State School Board recognizing him as the 2025 Alabama Superintendent of the Year. He is standing next to the 200 Alabama Bicentennial bell.
Dr. Walter Gonsoulin stands with members of his staff and holds a resolution honoring him as the 2025 State Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Gonsouling stands with his Deputy Superintendents (Dr. Jeff Caufield, Dr. Laura Ware, Dr. Orletta Rush) while holding a resolution honoring him as the Alabama Superintendent of the Year.