Kristi Combs stands at the lectern during the Madison Board of Education meeting when she was named instructional partner at James Clemens High School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – As her interest in helping people led her to teach, Kristi Combs’ interest in helping colleagues led her to work as instructional partner at James Clemens High School.

Madison Board of Education approved Combs’ appointment at its Dec. 18 meeting. James Clemens Principal Dr. Brian Clayton described Combs as “a ‘Class Act’ with excellent qualifications to be an instructional partner.”

“I’ve always shared everything I’ve ever had with other teachers. What better way to share and collaborate and create learning opportunities and impact more students than becoming an instructional partner?” Combs said.

In addition to creating learning opportunities for teachers, she will supply support and resources for classroom success. “I am an advocate for teachers. I’m the only instructional partner at James Clemens, but Madison City Schools was one of the first Alabama systems to adopt (this) position,” Combs said.

Combs wishes she could be in every classroom every day. “Jets are innovators. So am I. I’m excited to be a part of such a progressive school,” she said.

Combs taught at Liberty Middle School for 10 years and at Bob Jones three tears. She has taught grades 7-12, ranging from remedial English classes to advanced placement.

She earned a bachelor’s degree at Athens State University and a master’s degree in creative writing at Spalding University in Louisville, Ky.

Combs is a lifelong Madison resident and Sparkman High School graduate. “I come from a long line of educators. My grandfather Ray Taft taught at Madison Middle School. My father Derrell Brown began his career at Sparkman,” then became an administrator with Billy Broadway at Bob Jones and now is principal of Monrovia Middle School.

Her aunt and uncle, Dwight and Mary Brown, taught many years at Madison Cross Roads. Her mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law also were educators.

Her husband Clay teaches creative writing, sponsors the yearbook and coaches boys’ tennis at James Clemens. Their children as Tyler, 12, in sixth grade at Columbia Elementary School, and Lily, 4, in pre-kindergarten at Mill Creek Elementary School.