November 16-20 marks American Education Week 2020. Each year, this week presents an opportunity to celebrate public education and honor all those who work to make a difference in the lives of students. Honoring our educators and education support professionals is always important, but this year, we recognize our educators for overcoming the challenges we have faced this year, and for continuing to serve our students and community.

One of the ways TCSS is celebrating American Education Week 2020 is our Education Heroes program. This program is made possible through the generosity of the Tuscaloosa Education Foundation and Jalapeño’s Mexican Grill restaurants. Through this program, faculty and staff members selected Education Heroes to represent their schools. These are educators and education support professionals who have exemplified qualities such as leadership, support of others, and service to students and families – the type of qualities that have carried our schools through a challenging time. As you can imagine, it was an incredibly hard task to choose just one or two heroes from each school. Our schools are full of heroes! The Education Heroes selected by their colleagues serve as a representation of the many outstanding, hardworking professionals who make up the Tuscaloosa County School System. In the photo gallery above, you can see photos of each of our Education Heroes.

Our Education Heroes were revealed through surprise presentations at their schools. Members of the Tuscaloosa Education Foundation Board of Directors, TCSS Central Office Directors, and school administrators surprise each of the Heroes with a plaque, balloons, and a gift card to Jalapeño’s restaurants. Sunday, November 15 through Friday, November 20, our Education Heroes are being featured on electronic billboards across the Tuscaloosa/Northport area, as part of messages celebrating American Education Week. 

TCSS is extremely grateful for the support of Tuscaloosa Education Foundation and Jalapeño’s restaurants, which has made our Education Heroes program possible. TEF and Jalapeño’s are both tremendous supporters of TCSS and education in our community, and they support our schools throughout the year. 

During American Education Week and throughout the entire year, we encourage our community to take time to let educators and education support professionals know special and valuable they are. They make the difference for our students and our future.