Teacher Leadership Academy

My name is Amy Beck. I received my Bachelors in Mathematics from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (2011) and my Masters in Education from the Auburn University in Montgomery (2020). I taught in Butler county, Chilton county, Elmore county, and Selma City Schools before finding myself in Pike County in 2015, where I am currently teaching math to grades 9-12. During the summer of 2024, I became STEM certified through the National Institute for STEM Education. I currently live in Troy, AL. I have a five-year-old daughter, Emily, and a three-year-old son, Grayson. My hobbies include reading, spending time with my kids, and traveling to new places.

Alyce Calvin has always had it in her heart to become an educator. During her high school years at Jefferson Davis High School, she found mathematics to be the subject of her interest, a seed that would one day sprout into a degree in science of mathematics. Alyce loved math class, and she quickly found herself a preferred tutor amongst her peers—something that would continue through college. While attending Alabama State University, Alyce worked at a childcare learning center where she strengthened her patience, classroom management and creative skills. In those years she was invited to become a member and was inducted into the NSLS (National Honors Society of Leadership and Success). Then, in 2019, she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Finally, one, long summer later (filled with applications and a longing for her career to begin), she found herself interviewing for her dream job—on her birthday, no less!

To this day, Alyce views this career as a blessing, one more impactful than she ever imagined when she first felt the desire to become an educator. During her time at Goshen High School (GHS), Alyce has worked to create a positive work environment, fueled by passion and collaboration. She was a proud co-coordinator of the BARR, Building Assets Reducing Risks, model program at GHS and a primary facilitator of the school’s tutoring program and is elated with progress her students have made, year-to-year. She is now teaching 7th grade at Pike County High school and working on her master’s in Secondary Mathematics Education. Alyce Calvin is single with no kids, as though it is desired in her future. She likes to do hair and travel during her free time away from work obligations and engagements, as well as spending time with the ones she loves.

My name is Laken Davis and I teach second grade at Banks School. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in K-6 Elementary Education in December 2019. I began teaching Kindergarten at Pike County Elementary in October 2019, during the middle of my internship. After finishing out that year, I moved across the county to Banks School where I began teaching second grade in August of 2020. During this time, I went back to get my Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and graduated in December of 2021. I have now been teaching in second grade for the past four years and have loved every minute of it. Last year, I had the honor of being selected as the Banks School Teacher of the Year. I have also had the privilege of being the Banks K-2 BARR Coordinator the past two years.

When I am not at school, I spend time with my family making memories visiting different places or just lounging at home with a good Hallmark Movie. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Justin, and we have two beautiful little girls and another one on the way. We are involved with our church, Harvest Ozark, where Justin pastors and I help with the children’s ministry. I feel that God has given me the heart and passion for children and that shines through both my personal and professional life. God has blessed me with the skills and talent to do what I love by being with kids every day. I pray that as students enter the door to my class that they will always feel loved and seen.

Hello! My name is Ali Grace Eiland. I am married to Cody Eiland, agriscience teacher at GHS, and together they have two children, who attend Goshen Elementary. I am blessed to be a middle school math teacher at Goshen High School. Previously, I worked as a 6-12 Math Specialist for AMSTI in Region 11. During that time, I learned so much and enjoyed working alongside many great teachers across our region. However, I found that my heart truly belongs in a classroom where I get to work with students each day. I’m so thankful I get to do that at GHS! In my free time, I enjoy reading, photography, and being outside with my family on our farm or at the lake.

I have a bachelors and masters degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Auburn University, where I was fortunate to serve as a Graduate Research Assistant. In 2019, I was selected as the Alabama Council of Teachers of Mathematics Novice Teacher of the Year. In 2023, I was chosen to be a Desmos Classroom Fellow, where I was awarded the privilege of attending a conference and training program in Chicago, IL. I am also a certified presenter for both AMSTI and OGAP: Proportionality.

Mrs. Garrett is an educator with the Pike County School System in Troy, AL. She attended Troy University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1999. She earned her Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from Alabama State University in 2003. Throughout her educational career, Mrs. Garrett has worked as an elementary and middle school teacher, an Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) Science Specialist at the regional and state level, as an Assistant Headmaster in a private school setting, and is currently enjoying her role as the 5th and 6th grade STEM Academy instructor for Pike County Schools. With 24 years serving as an educator in Alabama, Mrs. Garrett enjoys offering hands-on, project-based learning experiences for her students. Two highlights of her career include being named as the 2008 Teacher of the Year for Sparkman Middle School in Madison County and a 2017 state finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program. She is humbled to have been recognized for these prestigious professional awards.

Mrs. Garrett has been happily married for 22 years to her husband, Micah. They have two teenagers, Weston and Alayna, who keep them busy with travel baseball and competitive dance. The Garrett family lives in Banks, Alabama and are proud members of Southside Baptist Church in Troy, where Mrs. Garrett serves as a Sunday school teacher for high school girls. When she is not at church or in school, she enjoys reading, attending sports events for her children, and spending time with family and friends.

Phyllis L. Jackson has been employed with the Pike County Board of Education for nineteen years. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts and Science Degree in Social Work from Troy University, and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Alabama State University. Phyllis served as a Social worker for three years for the Houston County Department of Human Services. She currently teaches English language arts as well as History at Banks School. Phyllis was named Teacher of the year for the 2017-2018 School year. She serves as an advisor for the Nation Junior Honor Society at Banks School. She has been a member of the Wiregrass Writing Project, Pike County Schools Improving Instruction Committee, Pike County Schools Reading and Literature Pacing Guide Revision Committee, Participant of Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC.org), and serves as a current member of the State of Alabama Social Studies Course of Study Task Force. Phyllis served as an assembly delegate for the Alabama Education Association for 2023/2024. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is a native of Troy Alabama. Phyllis is a member of First Missionary Baptist Church where she serves as youth director. She has one daughter, Hayleigh, and two grandsons, Chandler and Carter. Phyllis has a true passion for working with young learners. She strives to create a loving community of learners that succeeds in the future of their choices.

My name is Hannah Payne and I graduated from Troy University in December 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I teach 3rd-grade ELA and Social Studies at Goshen Elementary, where I strive to influence my students everyday. To further enhance my literacy instruction skills and teaching practices, I am currently participating in the LETRS Program. It is an honor to be selected for the Teacher Leadership Academy as I am excited to develop my leadership abilities with fellow educators and foster growth within our profession. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my church community through worship, Bible Study, and serving in Troy Church Kids. Additionally, I value regular exercise, find joy in reading, and love to spend quality time with family, friends, and my fiancé Evan.

My name is Jennifer Rhodes and I am a second grade teacher at Pike County Elementary, where I have taught for 19 years. I have been married to my wonderful husband Chad for many years. We have a son, Chandler and a daughter, Jenna Kate who attend Pike County Schools. We also have a very spoiled four-legged friend, Bailey.

I graduated from Opp High School and began my college career at Enterprise Ozark Community College where I received my associate's degree. I then transferred to Troy University to earn my B.S. K-6 Elementary Education and my Masters in Post Secondary Education: Instructional Technology. My professional accomplishments include Teacher of the Year at Pike County Elementary School 2024, Elementary Teacher of the Year for Pike County Schools 2024, Brundidge Business Association Teacher of the Year 2024, and I hold a Certificate of Completion in LETRS. In my time away from school, I enjoy shopping, swimming, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Hi! My name is Sherry Wilkes. I am an 11th year PLTW Computer Science Instructor/TSA Advisor. My day is split teaching high school computer science at TPCT(Troy Pike Center for Technology) and middle school computer science at Goshen High School. My husband, who works in the insurance field, and I have been married for 25 years. We have two beautiful daughters who are recent graduates from Goshen High School. I enjoy traveling, sports, but above all, I enjoy time spent with family and friends. I graduated from Leadership Pike numerous years ago. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked in the banking and finance industry. I have 20 years of experience in the financial field, but I decided to change my profession to work with youth as a career prep teacher when I was 45. A few years ago, I transitioned from teaching career prep to computer science. I am often asked “why” I would leave an industry that I worked in for so long to go into teaching. My answer is simple, “I have a passion for teaching the next generation”. I gained valuable knowledge during my years in the finance industry that I feel is beneficial to students. So, here I am!!

Teacher Leadership Academy 2024-2025

Amy Beck

Alyce Calvin

Lynne Dansby

Laken Davis

Ali Grace Eiland

Amy Garrett

Phyllis Jackson

Hannah Payne

Jennifer Rhodes

Corbin Stewart

Samuel Valentine

Sherry Wilkes