January Employee Birthdays

Happy Birthday!

Mrs. Horn--2nd
Mrs. Widick--3rd
Mr. Lipscomb--30th
Mrs. McKinney--31st

Faculty Spotlight-- Ms.Webb

• BS degree in Biology/Pre Med. (Talladega College)
• MS ED degree in General Science/Education (Jacksonville State University)
• National Board certified
• Subjects taught: 7th grade Life science/ 8th grade Physical science
• 9 yrs. teaching experience
• AMSTI trainer for the Alabama State Dept. of Education       (4 years)
• NAEP trainer (1 year)
• Favorite color: black/pink
• Favorite college team: Carolina Panthers
• Hobbies: singing alto/tenor, working out (treadmill, water aerobics, Zumba), reading and researching natural hair maintenance
• Favorite books: science thrillers, law thrillers, love novels
• Favorite authors: Tess Gerritsen, Stephanie Meyers, John Grisham, Michael Crichton, Phillip Margolin, Danielle Steele, John Sanford, Sidney Sheldon, Mary Balogh, LaVryle Spencer
• Favorite movies: "The Mirror Has Two Faces" (Barbara Streisand) and "The Twilight Saga"
• Music: gospel, R&B, country
• Favorite food: Sushi, pizza, and candy

Sock Tree Donations

The National Junior Honor Society sponsored the "Sock Tree" to collect new socks, hats, gloves, and scarves to donate to First Family of Talladega. The Honor Society would like to thank everyone who contributed to help keep those in need warm.

Faculty Spotlight-- Mr. Lipscomb

• Graduated from Cleburne County High
• A.S. degree Southern Union St. Jr. College
• B.S. degree Auburn University
• M.S. degree Alabama A&M
• Currently working on my 30th year at Zora Ellis.
• Pastor of Munford Church of God
• Married for 30 years to my wonderful wife, Gay.
• 2 children: Beth in Nursing School at JSU. Cary (nurse) married to Becky (newlyweds).

Merry Christmas from the Ellis Emeralds

Faculty Spotlight-- Mrs. Morris

• Education: BA Psychology --Talladega College
• MA Special Education-- Jacksonville State University
• Years of Experience: 36.5
• Favorite Color: Orange
• Family: Widow with 2 beautiful girls and 4 wonderful bonus sons
• 8 lovely grandchildren
• Hobbies: Gardening/walking

Faculty Spotlight-- Ms.Todd

• Bachelor of Science (instrumental music) The University of Alabama
• Masters of Arts (Instructional Leadership) The University of Alabama
• Teaching Experience-- 9 years
• 7th and 8th Grade Band

Faculty Spotlight-- Mr. Miller

• BS, BA, MSED, EDS ATTENDED GADSDEN STATE, AUBURN, ALABAMA, AND JSU
• 8TH GRADE WORLD HISTORY
• 24 YEARS TEACHING EXPERIENCE
• ROLL TIDE!!!
• HOBBIES INCLUDE RIDING MY HARLEY, THE BEACH, SCUBA DIVING, 4-WHEELERS, READING, AND TRAVELING
• MY FAVORITE COLOR IS BLUE.
• I AM MARRIED WITH 2 CHILDREN. JACKSON IS 16 AND BROOKE IS 24. MY WIFE'S NAME IS LISA; AKA "ELVIS."
• MY FAVORITE CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS ARE CLIVE CUSSLER, ROBERT LUDLUM, BRAD THOR, DAVID BALDACCI, TOM CLANCY, JAMES PATTERSON, AND JOHN GRISHAM. I STILL ENJOY READING ALL OF MARK TWAIN'S WORK, ERNEST HEMINGWAY, ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON AND OTHER ADVENTURE WRITERS FROM THE OTHER CENTURIES
• MY FAVORITE FOODS ARE GENERALLY FRENCH AND INVOLVE CHOCOLATE!
• MY FAVORITE MUSIC IS CLASSIC ROCK. WITH THE ADVENT OF SATELLITE RADIO, I AM ENJOYING THE CHRISTIAN MUSIC AS WELL.
• I ATTEND CHURCH AT HARVEST CHURCH OF GOD IN ANNISTON.

Faculty Spotlight-- Ms. Morgan

• BA English-- Talladega College
• Language Arts-- University of Alabama at Birmingham
• 7th grade English
• 23 years experience
• Favorite color: blue
• Football Teams: Auburn, SEC, Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings
• Hobbies: traveling, fishing, and furniture restoration
• Favorite book: Zora Neale Hurston's, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Faculty Spotlight-- Mrs. Wood

• BS Secondary Mathematics-- UAB
• MA Special Education for the visually impaired-- UAB
• MA Secondary Mathematics-- UA
• EDS Secondary Mathematics-- UA
• Born and raised on Long Island , NY, moved to Alabama 39 years ago.
• Began my college education as an art major and later switched to mathematics.
• We built our own home on Logan Martin Lake. It took us about 25 years to complete and now we are ready to redo everything. We have also helped remodel both our sons' homes and 2 beach rental properties.
• No favorite color-- love all colors.
• I love dogs, but I am not a cat person. I have a crazy mini-Pin that loves to nip at guests and his owners.
• I enjoy all types of music. My children keep me current.
• I have 2 sons, Terry 27, who practices law in Pensacola, Fl and Jeremy 33, who is Vice President of Technical Services at Compass Bank in Birmingham and the southeast.
• My husband is retired from the VA hospital, and I hope to join him sometime soon.

Faculty Spotlight-- Mrs. Foy

• BS Biology/Chemistry
• MS Medical Physiology
• Alabama A&M University
• Physical Science/8th Grade
• 8 years experience
• Favorite color: emerald green
• Favorite college football: any SEC team
• Hobbies: scrapbooking
• Favorite food: Chinese and Sushi
• Family: Married with 6 beautiful children

Christmas Holidays

December 22nd-January 4th

Merry Christmas! 

PTO Present

Our PTO officers and parents hosted a WONDERFUL lunch today for the faculty and staff in our newly remodeled teacher workroom. The meal consisted of chicken, pasta, green beans, tossed salad, potato salad, rolls, sweet tea, candy, and cakes. Thank you for organizing and preparing this special treat for us! 

Movie Day

$2.00/student

Give money to 5th period teacher

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs. McKinney

Even though I graduated from the University of Alabama, I don’t have a favorite football team. I enjoy all music except for some hard rock. I am married to Anthony G. McKinney. We have 2 daughters (Gabrielle and Alexis), 1 son (A.J.) and one granddaughter (Madison). Even though I don’t need it, I enjoy sweets-- especially cakes (red velvet, pound, strawberry and coconut). My favorite foods are things made with vegetables. I enjoy going to church, spending time with my family, helping others, gardening and canning (not that great at it), singing and math. My favorite colors are the color of the rainbow. My passion is teaching.

Faculty Spotlight--Mr. Sewell

• Graduate of Oxford High and Jacksonville State
• 9 years experience
• Married with three children

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs. Turner

• SLD instructor and resource teacher for Reading and    Math
• BS Elementary, Special Education; Alabama A&M University
• MA Counseling; Jacksonville University
• EDS Counseling; University of Alabama
• Interests include research, exercise, walking, designing, line dancing
• Greatest passion is teaching and working with youth

Christmas Parade 2011

"A" honor roll students were deservingly chosen to represent Ellis in Talladega's 2011 Christmas Parade. A special "thank you" to Mr. Miller for pulling the float with his truck, Mr. A. Ragland for chaperoning, and Regions Bank for sponsoring the float.

Faculty Spotlight--Keith

• BS Physical Education/Health Education MS Physical Education/Health Education
• Talladega College (BS) / Jacksonville University (MS)
• 7th and 8th Grade Physical Education
• 23 years experience
• Favorite colors: pink and green
• Favorite college football team: Auburn Tigers
• Hobbies: playing all sports
• Favorite food: Chinese food, seafood and cheesecake
• Married with 2 wonderful children

Faculty Spotlight--Adams

• B.S. in Education – University of Alabama
• Master’s Degree in Education-U.A.B.
• Media Specialist Certification- Jacksonville State University
• 7th-8th grade librarian
• 30+ years experience
• Roll Tide Roll!!

Faculty Spotlight--Ms.Runyan

• AS Business Administration (Snead State Community College)
• BS Biology /Physical Education ( Auburn University)
• MA Learning Disabilities /Biology (University of Alabama )
• 7th Grade Science
• Favorite color: blue 
• Favorite Teams: Auburn football and Kentucky basketball
• Hobbies: traveling and reading
• Favorite food: steak

Faculty Spotlight--Mr. Creel

• I was born in Talladega and attended school at Graham Elementary, Zora Ellis, and graduated from Talladega High School in 1982. I graduated from Jacksonville State University in 1988. I have taught in the Talladega City School System for 24 years.
• I am married to Carrie Griffin Creel. We have one dog named “Odin.” We enjoy the outdoors. We camp, kayak creeks and rivers, and ride ATVs. We also enjoy grilling out and Alabama football.
• The most spectacular experience that I have had is skiing in the Rocky Mountains and riding a snowmobile 128 miles (1 day) through Yellowstone.
• I have enjoyed my teaching career in Talladega. The students and co-workers have been special. When my teaching career is over, I hope to be an electrical contractor and continue to do all the fun things I enjoy.

Semester Finals

Students with a "C" or better average are exempt from semester tests. Attendance will not be held against exempt students starting December 16th.

For students who are not exempt, semester final exams will be:

• Monday, December 19th-- 2nd, 4th, and 6th period tests
• Tuesday, December 20th-- 1st, 3rd, and 5th period tests
• Wednesday, December 21st--Make-ups during 1st and 2nd period (for any final tests missed) 

Students may be checked out by parents when finals are completed. Arrangements should be made at home ahead of time, since students will not be allowed to call to be checked out.
***School will dismiss at 1:00 on December 21st for the Christmas holidays.  

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs. Phillips

• BS collaborative teacher K-12 all subjects with honors in Special Education
• Special Education--8th Grade
• 7th year at Ellis
• I have 6 children and 3 stepchildren
• I enjoy gardening. I read and write in many genres.Most of my published work is in poetry, but I am currently working on a children's book of short stories.
• My favorite colors are purple and green.

Christmas Dance

What: Christmas Dance
When: Thursday, December 15th 
            6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Zora Ellis Junior High School Gym
Cost: $6.00 in advance (paid to homeroom teacher); $7.00 at the door


**Permission notes to be sent home Monday, December 12th. Permission notes are required for admittance. 

Terrific Tuesday

Please join us Tuesday, December 13th for our Terrific Tuesday session. Parenting issues relevant to boys will be discussed. We welcome you to join us at 11:00!

National Board Certification

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Webb is National Board Certified. She received her notification letter this past week stating that she had met all the criteria necessary to achieve this prestigious honor. Congratulations, Ms. Webb!

Faculty Spotlight--Mr. Ward

• Classes taught: 7th Grade Civics and Geography; 8th Grade World History; 7th Grade Exploratory (computer)
• College team: Georgia Bulldogs
• Hobbies: hunting, fishing, golfing, wood carving, (basically anything involving the outdoors)
• Music: something from all genres, mostly country
• Favorite Food: venison
• Married
• 2 children (Nate and Tori)
• College: Jacksonville State University
• Degree: Bachelors of Science in Education: History, Secondary 6th-12th Grade-Highly Qualified 
• Currently on my 7th year teaching at Zora Ellis Jr. High
  
  
  

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs.Carroll

• Graduate of Talladega High School
• Graduated with Honors in English from Jacksonville State University in 2005
• Currently Pursuing a Masters in Library Media from the   University of West Alabama
• Favorite Color: Black
• Favorite College Team: Auburn
• Favorite Food: Pizza
• Hobbies: Baking Cakes and Scrapbooking
• Builder’s Club Advisor
• ZEJH Teacher of the Year 2009-2010 and 2011-2012
• I enjoy spending time with my husband and my precious little baby boy born 6/7/11

Monitors from Citizens Baptist Medical Center

Ashonti H., Wayne V., and Quintasia K. proudly display monitors that will be moved into classrooms.


Thank you, Citizens Baptist Medical Center for your very generous donation of 50 flat screen monitors!!

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs.Ragland

• BA History Education
• 7th Grade Civics and Geography
• 7th and 8th Grade Elective Computer Course
• 6 years teaching experince
• Favorite color: Purple (of course!)
• Favorite College Team: I am undecided at the moment, it only matters if the SEC keeps the championship.
• Favorite Food: Chicken, French Fries, and MEXICAN!!!
• Favorite Music: Gospel, R&B
• Hobbies: Reading 
• Family Information: I am married to the handsome Andrell Ragland, and we have one beautiful baby girl. 

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs. Widick

• BS Secondary Education Mathematics UAB
• MS Secondary Education Mathematics JSU
• Pre-Algebra 8th
• 15 years at Zora Ellis Jr. High
• Favorite color: blue
• Favorite college football: Alabama
• Hobbies: Walking
• Favorite food: Chocolate anything
• Family: married with 5 children

Faculty Spotlight--Mrs. Armstrong

• Master of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science from The University of Alabama at Birmingham
• World History, Grade 8 and Civics/Geography, Grade 7
• 17 years teaching experience
•  My name is Dottye Armstrong. I graduated from Talladega High School, and worked to be able to attend college. I was given the opportunity to attend UAB and the rest is history. I am married to Jim Armstrong, of Talladega. Our family consists of 4 beautiful children: Marlye, age 21; Alex, age 10; Olivia, age 7; and Lola, age 5. Teaching was always a dream of mine, and as a child, I played school for hours. My students were always very quiet, disciplined and flat. I still love teaching and my students are no longer flat, but diverse, gregarious, creative, and intelligent. When I’m not being called Mrs. Armstrong, I am with my family. When time allows, I read all types of books, but my favorite author is James Patterson, and my favorite series is, without a doubt, Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Being from Alabama, many of us differ in favorite colors, but when the leaves begin to change; my favorite colors are orange and blue….War Eagle!

Christmas Spectacular

Dancing gingerbread men, guest soloists, music from the exciting instruments of first year students, as well, as the more experienced sounds of the ZEJH 8th graders and the Talladega High School Band will fill the air on Thursday, December 8, 2011, as the Zora Ellis and Talladega High School bands present their Annual Christmas Spectacular. The event will take place in Harwell Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.  

Bring your pocket books and come early to enjoy the holiday atmosphere as the Talladega High School Band Boosters host their Annual Silent Auction.  Various items will be available. For example:  tickets to sporting events, local performances at the Ritz, Christmas items, restaurant certificates, etc.  Winning bids will be announced before the conclusion of the concert.  

We invite you to come support the Zora Ellis and Talladega High School bands and get in the holiday spirit, as well as finish up some Christmas shopping or holiday treats.  
Admission is $3.00 (5 and under $1)