MADISON – Dedicated, hard working, honest, honorable, transparent, supportive, involved. These are some of the words used by Madison City gifted classroom teachers in nominating Melissa Mims for the Outstanding Administrator Award of the Alabama Association of Gifted Children. Mims is Coordinator of Elementary Instruction for Madison City Schools.

“Melissa Mims is gifted in servant leadership which makes this award for her leadership in our gifted program even more fitting,” Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols said. “We are proud of the work she does not only for the gifted students and teachers but for all of our elementary instruction.”

Colleagues describe her as an advocate who not only advises but listens. They appreciate her strong focus on gifted education in addition to the wide array of other programs and responsibilities under her realm.

Through Mims’ efforts, the number of gifted specialists and hours of gifted instruction have increased and communication has greatly improved, they said.

A 20-year veteran educator and native of Madison County, Mims started her teaching in Lee County and Georgia before moving to Shelby County where she taught 3 years and served 6 years as assistant principal. She was named principal at Madison Elementary in June 2014 and became the district’s Coordinator of Elementary Instruction in February of 2018.

“She remains positive and demonstrates a can-do attitude that is infectious,” wrote one gifted teacher. “She is not just a coordinator for our gifted team, but she is also an active member that works beside us to collaborate and create the best solutions and plans for our gifted students,” described another.