Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Teacher of the Year, Diplomats

ashley isbell TOY 2024-IMG_9640_600

“Mrs. Isbell has been an integral part of my son’s development since before his autism diagnosis, and she has continued to help us navigate through the quirky nuances of his ever-changing educational and social needs over the past three years.” Those were the words shared by a parent in nomination of Ashley Isbell, Inclusive Pre-K Teacher at Leeds Primary School, as the Chamber’s Teacher of the Year. Isbell was presented the award at the Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon on May 16.

TOY 2023-2024 LPS Ashley Isbell

LEEDS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RECOGNIZES TEACHER OF THE YEAR, DIPLOMATS

She continued: “Mrs. Isbell does an exceptional job keeping all of her students engaged in classroom activities, while also recognizing when individualized educational supports are needed in an inclusive setting. She has developed specialized routines that promote learning, and then she provides anticipatory guidance to help transfer this learning into the home setting. I truly feel that my child would not have made such great progress without Mrs. Isbell’s patience, love and the incredible individualized dedication she provides to each one of her students…I have seen the other children in the classroom hug him and help him, and I know that it is because of the examples being set in Mrs. Isbell’s classroom.”

Diplomats 2024-IMG_9648_600
Alicia Huey Speaker wBoard-IMG_9664_600

The Chamber also recognized and thanked its student diplomats. These students faithfully serve the chamber at monthly luncheons and other chamber events as part of the chamber high school leadership program. The Chamber hosts field trips for the students throughout the year, including a trip to Chick-fil-A Headquarters in Atlanta.

This month's chamber luncheon speaker was Alicia Huey, President of AGH Homes. Alicia is a custom home builder and developer with more than 20 years of experience. She served as the 2023 Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders which provided many opportunities to advocate for housing on Capitol Hill. Alicia shared the motto for the Home Builders Association: “Building homes, enriching communities, changing lives.” The Home Builders Association wants home ownership to be a reality for everyone and works hard to protect that right.

A delicious meal was provided by China Wok Leeds. The next luncheon will be held on Thursday, June 20, at First Baptist Church Leeds when the speaker will be Congressman Gary Palmer.