Marcia Stephens is a compassionate servant leader who motivates and inspires others. She is passionate about her community and the community in which she serves. 

Marcia Stephens is a champion for her students. She has created learning environments that requires outside the box thinking, and she takes learning experiences for her students to the next level. Failure is not an option at Airport Road Intermediate School. She constantly encourages teachers to be "drum majors" for their students and work hard at motivating students to achieve high academic standards. Her school achieved one of the second highest grades on the State Report Card for Elmore County.  Airport Road Intermediate School scored an 88.  She takes pride in this score because of the diverse make-up of students that she serves. She has made gains in state assessments from year to year.  Stephens believes endless possibilities are available to all students.

Stephens was named the State Director of the Year for the 21st Century Community Learning Center Region 9 in 2009.  She served as site director for six years and assisted in securing grants totaling over $500,000 throughout a six years period for Eclectic Middle school’s 21st Century Community Learning Center program.

Stephens was chosen as Elmore County’s Assistant Principal of the Year in 2010. She was recently chosen as the Community Leader of the Year for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.  and the Parent Volunteer of the Year for Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.

She also participated in the first Cohort of Elmore County School System’s Leadership Academy. She was trained by Alabama State Department of education’s Principal’s mentoring program.  She was then chosen to serve as a mentor for new Principals in 2011. She was chosen to present at a Superintendents Conference in 2014.

Stephens has increased parental participation at the school level. She has created numerous partners in education with the community, churches, businesses and stakeholders. One initiative that was dear to her heart was the creation of after-school activities for her students. She worked tirelessly to get volunteers to sponsor each after-school activity. ARIS currently has twenty teachers who volunteer their time to sponsor these activities after-school.

The following programs have been implemented throughout her tenure at ARIS:  Dance Team, Photography Club, Garden Club, Science Club, Newspaper Club, Choir, Drama Club, Art Club, Student Council, Technology Club, and Library Club. One of her greatest achievements came after she challenged the dance sponsors to find a dance competition for the students to compete in and around the tri-county area. The dance team participated in the Fusion National Dance Competition where they placed platinum and first place overall. For the past five years the dance team has received numerous awards and recognition for the school. She holds dear to her heart the ideals of scholarship by promoting academic excellence at Airport Road Intermediate School throughout the school year. She writes funding proposals for Airport Road Intermediate School to provide a free STEM program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) during the summer. She also provides summer parent workshops and training that allows parents to get resources that will assist them in helping their child during the summer months and throughout the school year. She also promotes family engagement throughout the school year.  

She is married to Eddie Stephens and has one daughter Olivia Stephens. She is the daughter of Alvin and Darnell Campbell of Mobile, AL.                                        

Education                                                                                                                    

2001-2003 Administrative Certification, Alabama State University                                

1999-2000 AA Early Childhood Certification, Alabama State University    

1996-1997 Master of Education, Early Childhood Education, Alabama State University 1991-1996 Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood, Southern University            

Personal Philosophy of Education

EDUCATION AND THE PROCESS OF EDUCATING IS A TOTAL INTEGRAL, CONTEXTUAL SITUATION WHICH INCLUDES STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, ADMINISTRATION, AND ENVIRONMENT.

"Reach out and touch somebody's hand.  Make this world a better place if you can."  This is the premise of my personal motto.  When I decided to become an educator, I took the sacred oath of cultivating young people to believe that the impossible is possible.  Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small people who find it easier not to explore the power they have to change it.  Impossible is potential.  Impossible is temporary.  Impossible is nothing.  It is my duty and responsibility to create a learning environment that will inspire all students to commit their energies and talents to academic excellence.

Education

The University of West Alabama - Master of Education in Instructional Leadership 2018

Alabama State University - Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education 2008

Experience

Instructional Coach at Airport Road Intermediate / 2018

Curriculum Instructional Assistant at Chisholm Elementary School / 2017-2018

Elementary Teacher at Halcyon Elementary School / 2008-2017

Bio

I was born in Panama City, Florida and attended Bay District Schools K-12. I knew at a very young age that teaching would be my passion and career choice. After high school, I attended Alabama State University and received my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. I married my husband Rinaulti Russell in 2011. We now have two beautiful boys named Carter and Landon. I enjoy traveling, photography, and spending time with my family. I graduated in June 2018 from the University of West Alabama with a Masters degree in Instructional Leadership.