Teacher Leadership Academy

Lydia Ellis serves as the 10th Grade Academy Dual Enrollment Facilitator at the Center for Advanced Academics and Accelerated Learning (CA3L). Having just celebrated her 18th year in education, she thinks it is the best job in the world! She passionately believes that the Academy Program must not only challenge students academically but also provide students with opportunities to build their career toolkit. Mrs. Ellis is grateful for the support of CA3L leadership over the past four years as she collaborated with community partners, including Southeast Alabama Works, Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Troy University, KW Plastics, Kimber, Chick-Fil-A, and local business leaders, to build a sophomore leadership enrichment program in which students study academic and organizational skills, professional etiquette, creating a professional online presence, public speaking, the art of small talk, dining etiquette, and resume crafting.

Mrs. Ellis earned her Master’s Degree in Library Information Science from the University of Alabama and her Bachelor’s Degree in History and Spanish from Troy University. She has studied Spanish in Guadalajara and Cuernavaca, Mexico. Mrs. Ellis lives in Troy with her husband of 18 years, Matthew Ellis, along with her children, Gracie and Jack Riley, and their three-legged poodle, Murray. Mrs. Ellis loves going on adventures with her family in their pop-up camper and dreams of visiting all the National Parks, hopefully in a bigger camper!

Rachel Johnston Everett is an educator currently in her 17th year of teaching at Pike County Elementary School, where she inspires young minds as a 6th-grade Reading and English Language Arts teacher. She holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Troy University and is currently pursuing a second Master's Degree in School Counseling. In 2023, Rachel achieved the prestigious distinction of becoming a National Board-Certified Teacher. She was recognized in 2016 when she was honored as PCES Teacher of the Year and named the overall Elementary Teacher of the Year for Pike County Schools.

Previously, Rachel was an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, where she received the Community Service Award in 2016, and has served in leadership roles, including historian, secretary, and treasurer. She is a charter member of the Gamma Alpha Xi Zeta Graduate Chapter in Troy, Alabama. Rachel has been married to her high school sweetheart, Henry Everett, for 26 years. Together, they have two children—Malachi, 21, and Makayla, 18—and a beloved miniature poodle named Atticus, added to the family during the COVID-19 shutdown and named after the iconic character from To Kill a Mockingbird. Rachel is a member of Hines Chapel AME in Dothan, AL, where Apostle Paul Horn serves as her pastor.

Brittney Gilmer holds two associate degrees from LBW and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Greenhouse Management with a minor in Agricultural Business and Economics. Building on her passion for science and education, she later completed a Master’s in Education in Biological Sciences Education. For more than two decades, she has served as a dedicated high school science teacher, bringing both academic expertise and practical knowledge into her classroom to inspire the next generation of learners.

Beyond her work in the classroom, she has been an active presenter at the Alabama Educational Technology Conference for several years, sharing her insights and experiences with fellow educators. She is a National STEM certified educator and is currently working on her National Board certification. In her personal life, she enjoys traveling, painting, and hosting game nights with friends and family. She is widowed and the proud mom of a five-year-old pitbull whose moody personality keeps life interesting and full of companionship.

Mrs. Ucella Jones teaches second grade at Goshen Elementary. She has been teaching for 16 years and loves it. She served 20 years in the United States Army and retired in 2006. She returned to Troy University to pursue her master’s degree in Elementary Education and began teaching in December 2008 as the Indian Education Art teacher at G.E.S. In May of 2009, she was hired to teach second grade at G.E.S., and the rest is history. One of her accomplishments was being named Teacher of the Year at G.E.S. in 2012. One of her personal accomplishments was having her students write and publish their book of poems two years in a row. They really enjoyed that. Her hobbies are running 5k and half marathons locally and in neighboring states, cooking, baking, and reading books. She married to Mitchell Jones, and has one son, Dominique, and three grandchildren: Omari, Kaidence, and Teagan. She really enjoys teaching children and watching them apply what they learn in their own lives as they grow up. There’s no other profession she would rather be in. What a great day to be a Goshen Eagle!!

Myrie King is a second-year 7th-grade math teacher at Goshen High School. She is originally from Mobile, where she is the oldest of 7. However, she attended Troy University, where she graduated with a Math Education Degree in 2024.  She is currently working on a master's degree in mathematics from Troy as well. She became STEM certified earlier this year and had the chance to teach Math as an adjunct professor at Troy last year. When she is not at work or working towards her degree, she likes to read, travel, and try new foods!

Monique Mills is a dedicated educator currently serving as a First-Grade teacher at Pike County Elementary School. With five years of teaching experience, she spent her first three years in Second Grade before transitioning to First Grade, where she continues to nurture and inspire
young learners whom she cherishes deeply. In recognition of her commitment to excellence in education, Ms. Mills was honored as Teacher
of the Year in 2025. She holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama, which she earned in May 2025. She serves as the BARR coordinator for PCES. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Mills enjoys reading, shopping, and spending quality time with her beloved goldendoodle, Kimber.

Mrs. Leah Sellers has 22 years of teaching experience. She holds a Master of Education from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and has proudly called Goshen Elementary School her home for the past three years, where she teaches 6th-grade Math.

She is married to her best friend, and together they share a beautiful family: Dawson (22), Darby (26) and her husband Parker, and Jacob (29) and his wife Sabrina. She is thrilled to be welcoming her first grandchild, Isabelle Mae, in December and is looking forward to being the best “Mimi” she can be.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys piddling with plants, hunting, fishing, and all things arts and crafts. She tries to bring creativity, dedication, and a nurturing spirit to everything she does, and is excited to grow as a leader through the Teacher Leadership Academy.

Sabrina Thomas is an educator with twenty-nine years of experience. She taught first grade for three years before moving to her current position as a kindergarten teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Alabama State University and a Master of Science in Education degree from Troy State University. During her career, Mrs. Thomas has been recognized for her commitment to her students. In 2012, she was honored as the Elementary Teacher of the Year for Banks School and the overall Elementary Teacher of the Year for Pike County Schools. She also received the Golden Apple Award from the Alabama News Network, a heartfelt nomination made by the families of her students.

Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Thomas has been an active member of her community. Mrs. Thomas is a devoted member of Rockwest Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as Call to Worship Leader, sings in the choir, and has led Paint and Praise activities that blend creativity with spiritual fellowship. She was formerly involved with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., where she served in many roles from President to Chaplain and received the Finer Womanhood Award, the Sisterly Love Award, and the President’s Award from the Chi Upsilon Zeta Chapter. She later played a role in helping to charter the Gamma Alpha Xi Zeta Chapter in Troy, Alabama, where she served as Z-Hope Coordinator, planning various community events. Mrs. Thomas is a widow and shares her home with her beloved miniature poodle, Brewster B., who brings joy and companionship to her life.