Joy Wilson is Elementary Teacher of the Year for Madison City Schools. (CONTRIBUTED)

Karey Holcomb is District Staff Member of the Year in Madison. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – So long, summer …

Employees in Madison City Schools said goodbye to Summer 2014 during Employee Institute Day on July 29 in Zompa Auditorium at Bob Jones High School.

The Madison district traditionally starts the new school year with this all-hands meeting for teachers, staff members, administrators and Madison Board of Education.

Winners of the district’s elementary teacher, secondary teacher and staff member of the year were announced. A committee used principal recommendations and other criteria to select the finalist from individual winners at Madison’s 11 schools.

“Elementary Teacher of the Year” is Joy Wilson, fourth-grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. Wilson is pleased that her students collaborate to answer real-world math problems, realizing multiple solutions exist. “No longer do they dread word problems,” she said recently.

Joan Comer introduced Wilson.

“Secondary Teacher of the Year” is Robin Lakso, art teacher at Bob Jones. Lakso’s advanced students consistently earn recognition with Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards. Lakso’s students won two of Alabama’s five Visual Arts Achievement Portfolio awards.

Jeremy Raper introduced Lakso.

“District Staff Member of the Year” is Karey Holcomb, cafeteria manager at James Clemens High School. Holcomb succeeds at the challenge of balancing state/federal regulations with local needs. Fiona Gordon introduced Holcomb.

Employees with 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service also were recognized.

Motivational speaker Dr. Kevin Elko encouraged teachers to know their students personally and remain optimistic.

Madison teachers have workdays on July 30-31 and Aug. 1 and 4. Students report to class on Aug. 5.