Teacher Leadership Academy 2019-2020

Melinda Defee
Melinda Morgan Defee is a native of Luverne, AL and now resides in Brantley with her husband, TJ. Mrs Defee graduated from Troy State University in 1995 and taught one year elsewhere before becoming a member of the faculty at Pike County High School. She has taught a variety of math classes in grades seven through twelve throughout the years, but she has enjoyed teaching eighth grade math as a part of the Pike County Middle School program since 2015. Mrs Defee is extremely proud to be a part of the Pike County School System, and claims she I a PCHS Bulldog through and through.
Brandi DeSandro

Deana Elmore
Deana Elmore is married to Sgt. Major Robert Elmore. They have three sons-Derek, Robby, and Seth. They have just added a girl to their family of boys with the addition of Robby’s wife, Victoria.

LaToya Gay

Dr Coretta Gholston
Dr. Coretta Gholston is a native of Town Creek, Alabama. Dr. Gholston obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Education degree from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. In addition, Dr. Gholston obtained a Doctorate in Education from Argosy University. Dr. Gholston is currently an English teacher at Pike County High School. She has been with Pike County High School for five years. She also teachers adjunct classes at Enterprise State Community College, and she does consultant work at Troy University.

Laura Hixon
Mrs Hixon is a member of Brundidge United Methodist Church, where she serves as V.P. of BUMC Women’s Circle; has served on the Board of Trustees; and Communion Steward. Mrs Hixon is the current President of Alpha Delta chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa; and a member of Pike County Cattlewomen.
Mrs Hixon is thankful to be in a system where administration has the foresight to seek and pursue opportunities for our students, which otherwise, they might not be able to experience. She feels blessed to be able to work in a place where morals and values line up with her own and she has the chance to grow each day with her students.
Jodie Jefcoat

Debbie LaViner
Mrs LaViner received her Bachelor of Education degree, K-6th from Troy University December of 2007; she also received a Master's of Education for K-6th in 2010, also from Troy University.
When she is not busy teaching math, Mrs LaViner likes to read and watch Disney Movies, she also loves football and enjoys watching her oldest grandson play high school football.
Mrs LaViner a lover of dogs, and loves being a grandmother to 4 boys; Blake 17, Max, 5, Jaxson 2, and Paxton 1. Mrs LaViner just celebrated her 40th wedding anniversary with her husband Bruce; and they have 4 children, Christy, Charlie, Merla, and David. The LaViners live in Troy, were they live with 5 dogs, 3 cats, two birds, a turtle, and several fish.
Mrs LaViner was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, as a teenager she moved to South Georgia; she still makes regular trips back to Alaska to visit siblings, her dad, and other relatives.
The ideal of a perfect day is to have all her students to be excited to be at school and ready to learn. Becoming a teacher is a lifelong dream of hers and she enjoys working with kids, not just as a teacher, but in other roles as well. She has been fortunate to have visited quite a few of our 50 states, one day she would like to travel to other countries.
Mrs LaViner has been voted as “Teacher of the Year” For Pike County Elementary School, and for the entire Pike County School system for the 2019 School year. She is also serving on the “Teacher Academy” committee and looks forward to seeing and experiencing all that is planned, and sharing these experiences with her co-workers.
Rebecca Lester

Jamie Rich
Jamie
Rich is beginning her 15th year as an agriculture education teacher and FFA
Advisor. This is her fifth year in Alabama with Pike County School System; she
worked ten years prior in Georgia. Mrs. Rich currently instructs
dual-enrollment students in the Agriscience Academy and middle grades
Agriscience Explorations. She is married with two boys and a miniature
schnauzer.

Chris Saffold

Jessica Walker
Jessica Walker is married to Dr. Mark Walker, the Director of Bands at Troy University. They have a daughter, Emily, that is currently a senior in high school. They also are raising 3 dogs, Woody, Bulleit, and Mrs. Spot.

Teresa Webb
Teresa Webb is the Health Science teacher at Troy Pike
Center for Technology. She received her
Bachelor of Education degree from Troy State University, and her Bachelor of
Science degree in nursing from Valdosta State University. Ms. Webb has taught Health Science for a
total of 14 years, with the last four years at TPCT. She has a broad nursing background that
includes acute medical-surgical care, urgent care, cardiac step-down
transition, and home health care. She
was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, an International Honor Society for Nursing,
in 1990. She serves as the advisor for
HOSA-Future Health Professionals, the supporting student organization for her
Health Science students. In her leisure
time, Ms. Webb enjoys reading, salt-water fishing, and traveling.