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!
9 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.
Take a look at our SOAR Program students reciting ORIGINAL poems at Minor Community School!✍️👏Thank you to Flourish for teaching our students how to express themselves through the art of poetry!
10 months ago, JEFCOED
Teacher sits at desk while students stand around her.
Students smile at camera while sitting on risers.
Girl recites poetry from notebook while standing in room
Student stands in room while reciting poetry from a notebook
Elementary school-aged boy smiles at camera while holding a notebook.
Two elementary school aged girls smile at camera.
Congratulations to Brandon Bray, a third-grade student at Minor Community School! His photo has won 2nd Place in the 2025 State Superintendent's Visual Art Exhibit! 📸🏆 Brandon's captivating image of Kelvin P. peering into an ornament is not only on display at the State Capitol, but it also served as the centerpiece of Minor Community's 2024 holiday card. Well done, Brandon! 👏👏👏
about 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Brandon Bray, a third-grade student at Minor Community School holds his photo that won 2nd Place in The 2025 State Superintendent's Visual Art Exhibit!
Minor Community School's holiday card featuring a photo taken by student Brandon Bray.
Brandon Bray stands with his teacher Karen Watkins while displaying his award-winning photo.
🎉💙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.
over 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!
over 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.
🎉Congratulations, Dr. Walter Gonsoulin🎉 We are beyond thrilled to share that our very own Superintendent, Dr. Gonsoulin, has been named the 2025 Alabama/Schneider Electric Superintendent of the Year! 🏆 This incredible recognition speaks to Dr. Gonsoulin's heart for education and his constant drive to make our schools the best they can be. We're so proud to have him leading the way for JEFCOED and can't wait to see where his vision takes us next! #JEFCOEDProud #SuperintendentOfTheYear #CongratulationsDrG
over 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Dr. Walter Gonsoulin is standing at a podium after being names 2025 Alabama Superintendent of the Year
Music to our ears!🎹🎶🪘 Thanks to a collaborative effort by the JEFCOED Arts Department and Dr. Shonta Harrell, Assistant Principal, we've introduced a brand new musical playground at Minor Community School! This joyful addition, funded through a grant, will provide students with a creative and fun space to explore the world of music. We can't wait to see the joy it brings!
over 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Dr. Shonta Harrell hands out instruments to students.
Dr. Shonta Harrell and Mrs. Bailey hope up a check for a $20, 000 grant. 0
Two female students are sitting on a bench and playing xylophones.
A student is playing a drum.
Students are marching down the sidewalk while playing instruments.
Students sit outside and play instruments. Drums, xylophone, and tambourine.
Students are watching Mrs. Bailey play a drum.
A student is using drum sticks to play on a bright blue bucket.
🎗️Let's Unite for Childhood Cancer Awareness!🎗️ This Thursday, September 26th, marks a special day for JEFCOED as we join forces with the Hope for Autumn Foundation for Give Hope Day! We're calling on everyone to 🌟WEAR GOLD🌟 as we stand together to honor and raise awareness for children and families affected by childhood cancer. 💛Together, we can make a difference!
over 1 year ago, JEFCOED
September 26th is Give Hope Day in JEFCOED. Hands holding the word Hope in wooden letters. Yellow ribbon for cancer awareness.
Congratulations to Dr. Walter Gonsoulin on being named the 2025 District 5 Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama. Dr. Gonsoulin works tirelessly to expand opportunities for all students, and this recognition reflects his outstanding leadership and dedication to public education. The statewide winner will be announced in March 2025. We wish Dr. Gonsoulin the best of luck as he continues championing educational excellence! #JEFCOEDproud #SuperintendentOfTheYear
over 1 year ago, JEFCOED
Announcement that Dr. Walter Gonsoulin has been named 2025 Alabama, District 5 Superintendent of the Year. Includes images of Dr. Gonsoulin working around the district.