Board Members

ACEA Board Members 

Jodie McPherson

President

Jennifer Baker

Vice-President/President-Elect

Lacey Aman

Secretary

 Sallie Chastain

 Treasurer

Dr. Susan Hargett, Cindy Warner, & Janie Browning  

   Past Presidents

Northern Region Representatives       Central Region Representatives     Southern Region Representatives

 Andrea Bridges (2023-2026)           Lindsey Blevins (2023-2026)         Jacque Helms (2023-2026)

 April Hart (2023-2026)                       Krista Fluker (2021-2024)         Judy Manning (2020-2024)

 Jennifer Baker (2021-2024)                 Ashley May (2021-2024)                     Brittney Reeves (2021-2024)

Tawnya Bobo (2023-2026)               Jason Bryant (2022-2025)         Annie Shoots (2022 -2025)

                      Amy Lowe (2023-2026)

  State Department of Education

Amanda Rydant           Aleysia Alves

Truman Pierce Institute

Jason Bryant, Ph.D. Linda Dean Michelle Denney

                                                      Keirstin Cramer          Sandy Resa         Erika Rucker      

               Linda Williams         Elaine Jordan       Janice Ryan

Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance

Tracye Strichik

ACEA Board Members

Lacey Aman  is the Alabaster City Schools Community Education Financial Program Manager. Mrs. Aman played an important role in ensuring after school programs would continue when Alabaster City Schools formed in 2013. Over the past 12 years, she has played a key role in developing Community Education programs and increasing enrollment in after school care, summer camp, enrichment programs and champion camps.

Mrs. Aman has 23 years experience working in and managing programs for Community Education. She began as a special needs counselor at Meadow View Elementary After School Care Program in 2001 and was later promoted to Site Secretary and Site In-Charge Teacher. After graduating from college in 2006 from the University of Montevallo with a BBA in Management, Mrs. Aman accepted a Paraprofessional position at Meadow View Elementary School with her student from after school care and continued as In-Charge Teacher after school. Mrs. Aman was recognized in 2012 as Shelby County Board of Education Employee Support Person of the Year. She has enjoyed being a part of the growth of Alabaster City Schools Community Education since 2013. She has served as ACEA Secretary for 2 years.

Mrs. Aman resides in Alabaster, AL with her husband Jayme and their three daughters, Jemma(11), Ella Ryan(11), and Veda(7). They enjoy watching their girls play softball and all the travel that comes with it. 

Jennifer Baker is the Elementary Curriculum Director for Winston County Schools.  She has been employed with the Winston County Board of Education for the last 21 years where she served as a classroom teacher, and reading specialist, four years as an instructional leader at Lynn Elementary School.  She was responsible for supervising the staff that operated the Dependent Care Grant Afterschool Program at Lynn for three years, and served as Program Director for the Bear Necessities 21st CCLC Program at Lynn Elementary School for 3 years.  Currently, Mrs. Baker serves as the Elementary Curriculum Director, Community Education Liaison, First Class Pre-K /P3 Director, and Professional Development & Continuous Improvement Coordinator.  She serves as co-chair of the Winsotn County STEAMWorks Advisory County and a member of the NCAL STEM Ecosystem Development Initiative.   She holds a BS in Elementary Education and a BS in Psychology, an MA in Library Media, and an Instructional Leadership Certificate.  Prior to that, Mrs. Baker served ten years in the field of mental health at ARC of the Shoals in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Presently, she serves as the District Coordinator of the 21st CCLC program.  As an advocate for the program with a focus on STEAM, she continues to pursue grant opportunities to add additional resources for Winston County. 

Lindsey Blevins currently serves as the Extended Learning Coach within the Tuscaloosa City Schools where she is the 21st CCLC program director for twelve sites and on the district leadership team for all summer learning programs.  She has previous experience as a school counselor and served as a site coordinator for the Skyland Elementary School 21st CCLC for ten years.  She is passionate about out-of-school time programs and the positive impacts they can have on whole child development. ACEA previously recognized her as the recipient of the Charles Stewart Mott Award (2021) and the Extended Day Director of the Year (2023).  Additionally, the National Summer Learning Association recognized the Tuscaloosa City Schools as a 2023 Excellence in Summer Learning award winner for their work in implementing exemplary summer learning programs.

Tawnya Bobo is the site coordinator for Crossville Elementary School in Dekalb County.  As an alumna of Crossville High School, she is very invested in her community.  Mrs. Bobo worked in the banking industry for 7 years before obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Athens University in 1994.  She began her educational career working as a paraprofessional with kindergarten, first, and fourth grade students within an inclusive classroom.  Then, she taught third grade for 15 years at Crossville Elementary School.  During that time, she received her master’s degree from the University of Alabama in 1999.  Mrs. Bobo has always been very involved at Crossville, and she was a co-cheer coach at Crossville High School for 3 years.  She began teaching ELL students in 2011, obtained her ESOL in 2019, and continues to teach English Speakers of Other Languages at Crossville Elementary School.  There have been many changes and substantial student growth over the years in Crossville, Alabama.  The need for afterschool care is greater than ever.  She began assisting the 21st CCLC program occasionally for a few years prior to 2019.  She started working full time for this program at the beginning of the 2019 academic year.  Mrs. Bobo was instrumental in helping write the last grant for the 21st CCLC afterschool program at Crossville Elementary.  In her present role as site coordinator, she enjoys advocating for community involvement in the schools.  Mrs. Bobo is passionate about organizing activities that incorporate the parents and community in educating our children.  Mrs. Bobo resides in Crossville, Alabama with her husband, Mike.  They have three daughters and three grandchildren.  The eldest, Ali (Tyler) Dutton, Tate, and Tallyn reside in Cullman, Alabama. Kassadi (Cole) Cotton and Charlee reside in Crossville, Alabama.  The youngest, Keestan Bobo, resides in Albertville, Alabama.  Throughout the years, Mrs. Bobo and her husband have enjoyed watching their daughters cheer and play softball, basketball, and volleyball.  Presently, their greatest pastime is spending time with their families and playing with their grandchildren.

Andrea Bridges is the Executive Director of the CARE Center.  Her role is to collaborate with area churches, corporate foundations, local schools, and community stakeholders to provide crisis services, education initiatives, and workforce development to the rural, under-resourced areas of southeast Madison County.  She served as the CARE Center's Education Coordinator for almost 10 years. Andrea has developed and managed educational programs in the five schools served by the CARE Center, including four 21st Century Community Learning Center Grants.  Andrea has served on the ACEA Executive Board since 2015. Andrea feels blessed to be a part of the ACEA family.

Janie Browning is a Jacksonville State University graduate who has earned degrees in Elementary Education and Instructional Leadership.  She taught second-grade students for thirteen years and kindergarten students for six years.  Mrs. Browning has served in afterschool programming for over 20 years.  Currently, she serves as the Program Director for 21st Century/Community Education in the Gadsden City School District.  She has served on the ACEA board and is currently the ACEA President.  She also serves as the State Representative for the National Afterschool Association. 

Dr. Jason C. Bryant is an Associate Clinical Professor at Auburn University, where he began in January 2016 and is currently serving as the director of the Truman Pierce Institute (TPI) within the College of Education at Auburn.  Dr. Bryant has seventeen years of K-12 experience as a former science teacher, assistant principal, and principal at both the middle and high school levels in Alabama.   As director of TPI, Dr. Bryant has been extensively involved in providing professional development to Alabama 21st CCLC programs and programs served by the Alabama Department of Human Resources Afterschool Quality Standards project.  Dr. Bryant is a past president and current board member for the Southern Regional Council on Educational Administration (SRCEA) and serves on the executive board of the Alabama Association of Professors of Educational Leadership (AAPEL) as vice-president.  Dr. Bryant is a three-time graduate of Troy University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Education (1997), Master of Science in Education (1999) and Education Specialist in Administration (2009).  Dr. Bryant received his doctorate from Auburn University (2015) in Administration of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

Sallie Taylor Chastain has been Talladega County Schools Community Education Coordinator for 25 years, previously serving as Career Technical Director, principal, and teacher for an additional 22 years.  Prior to that time, she taught at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind for four years and served as a Cooperative Extension agent for two years.  Sallie grew up on a dairy farm in Montgomery County and proudly 'milked' her way through Auburn University.  Work, church, and grandchildren take care of her time.   As for ACEA, Sallie sees it as a vital part of family and community life.  She has served on the ACEA board in some capacity for about 22 years.

Krista Faith Fluker is a native of Birmingham, Alabama.  She began her career as an educator in 2016 with the Birmingham City Schools System.  Krista is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Fluker’s classroom environment for learning exaggerates fun, growth, and relationships. Fluker implements a welcoming atmosphere where students are prepared to learn.  She meets students with intentions of academic and character growth.  Fluker’s drive helps students overcome environmental obstacles which impact their learning and achievement.  Fluker has served as Site Coordinator for 21st Century Community Learning Centers for Oxmoor Valley Elementary, Birmingham Cultural Alliance Partnership, and a Birmingham Civil Rights Institute project.  In 2021, Fluker was nominated as a Next Generation Leader for the National Afterschool Association for her impactful work during the COVID pandemic while strategically addressing racial tensions following George Floyd's death with her students.  Krista has served on the ACEA Board since 2021.  Fluker holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama and is certified in Instructional Leadership and Business Education. 

Susan Hargett has worked as a teacher, counselor, administrator, grant writer, evaluator, Pre-K director, Community Education Coordinator, and director of afterschool and summer programs.  She has a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Alabama and master's degrees in secondary education, special education, and counseling.  She is a psychometrist.  Dr. Hargett has obtained over 30 million dollars in grants and funding in afterschool, summer programs, prevention education, drug testing, literacy, parenting, service learning, pre-kindergarten, arts education, technology, professional development, school security, and renovations. In 2000, she obtained a grant in the first cycle of 21st Community Learning Centers from Washington, D.C., and worked with the Department of Education to encourage more programs nationwide.  From the beginning, Dr. Hargett worked to build sustainability in her programs.  She has had continuous extended day and year programs for all six of her elementary schools, even when not funded through 21st CCLC. 

April Hart is currently employed by the Dekalb County Board of Education as an English Language kindergarten teacher at Crossville Elementary.  She is a graduate of Crossville High School.  She obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees from Jacksonville State University.  She began her teaching career in 1986 in Dekalb County.  The Crossville community has expanded in the last few years, and the need for afterschool and summer programs has become evident.  She has taken pride in seeing the community involved in different capacities to better the school.  She has been involved in writing the 21st CCLC grants over the last few years.  She knew that the grant would help the community, parents, teachers and students to take pride in their community.  She has been working with 21st CCLC for several years.  She has been a teacher, lead teacher, and site director.  She first began working with the Alabama Community Education Association in 2007.  She has been actively involved with the ACEA wanting to help her community, parents, and students.  She resides in Crossville with her husband, Lynn Hart.  They have two sons, one grandson that is 8 years old, and a granddaughter that is 4 years old.  She enjoys boating, camping, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Jacque Helms brings over two decades of dedication to education, currently serving as the Afterschool Care Program Coordinator for Baldwin County Public Schools.  BCPS’s ASC program boasts 26 individual sites, ensuring the well-being and enrichment of over 1700 students. Jacque’s tenure in Baldwin County has seen her navigate diverse roles, including virtual school and elementary school principalships. Throughout her career, Jacque has passionately advocated for community engagements, with her afterschool role fostering the transformative power of beyond school programs to serve and uplift the various communities within Baldwin County.  Her commitment to fostering a nurturing educational environment remains steadfast, grounded in the belief that every child deserves access to quality and holistic learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Jodie McPherson has served Chickasaw City School System (CCSS) in several roles since 2012. She utilizes her 30 years of experience in education to provide a foundation as CCSS’s Director of Federal Programs, Director of the Early Learning Center and the Director of the 21st Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grants. Since her arrival with CCSS, Mrs. McPherson has been a strong enthusiast for the 21st CCLC program. She has supported plans that form partnerships between schools and the community through her work with the 21st CCLC program. In order to prepare students for a future career in education, Mrs. McPherson advocates for a shared responsibility and reciprocal process whereby schools and communities engage in the development of our youth.

Judy Manning is a former elementary teacher, assistant to the superintendent, and central office administrator for federal programs, community education, attendance, and grant writing. She has served as an off-campus director for Troy State Montgomery and as a former education consultant for the Alabama State Department of Education. Judy is also a past president of ACEA and has received the Charles Stewart Mott Award. She is currently serving as an external evaluator for ten 21st Century Community Learning Center grantees.

Ashley May is the Community Education Program Manager for Alabaster City Schools. When Alabaster City Schools was formed in 2013, Mrs. May was integral in ensuring afterschool care would continue to be offered in the same facet. She has played a key role in developing Community Education programs and increasing enrollment in after school care, summer camp, and enrichment programs for the past ten years. Mrs. May has over 20 years of experience working in and managing programs for Community Education. She began as a counselor at Thompson Elementary After School Care Program in 1999. She was hired as site secretary and later promoted to in-charge teacher when Meadow View Elementary School was built in 2000. She remained there for ten years. During this time she attended college, worked as a substitute teacher, and worked in afterschool care and summer camp. After graduating from the University of Montevallo with a BS in Family and Consumer Science - Family and Child Studies, Mrs. May accepted a position teaching 9th - 12th grade Family and Consumer Science at Pelham High School and continued working in afterschool care. She has also been an Administrative Assistant at SafeHouse of Shelby County and a Pre-K teacher at Today Care Children’s Center. She then returned to her roots in Alabaster and has committed to growing the Community Education Program. Mrs. May lives in Pelham, AL with her husband, Mark May, and two daughters, Collins(8) and Cora (7). They enjoy spending time together outdoors!

Brittney Reeves is the Assistant Principal at Gulf Shores Middle School in Gulf Shores, Alabama as well as the Program Director for the 21st CCLC programs at both Gulf Shores Elementary and Gulf Shores Middle. She began her teaching career at Gulf Shores ten years ago as a 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts teacher, and she has also had the pleasure of teaching Computer Science for several years prior to her move to Instructional Coaching. She serves as the Program Director for both the elementary and middle school programs. The programs have seen great success in increasing attendance and improving behavior through the STEAM sessions and increased academic achievement and student confidence through the academic sessions. Brittney earned her BA in Secondary English Education from the University of South Alabama, her MA in Gifted Education from the University of Alabama, and her certification in Educational Leadership from Auburn University. 

Erika Rucker is the 21st CCLC Program Coordinator at Truman Pierce Institute at Auburn University. She has worked with the 21st CCLC program for 12 years. In April, she began the Alabama Afterschool Task Force, holding bi-weekly Zoom calls to help afterschool professionals survive the pandemic effects on afterschool. Erika still plays an active role as an Afterschool Ambassador Emeritus. Because of this honor she has become an active participant in meeting with elected officials on Capitol Hill to push the plight of afterschool and keep it relevant on politicians’ minds as they create policies that could positively influence the future of children. Rucker serves on many boards and committees including, the National Afterschool Association Board of Directors, Alabama Community Education Association Past President, and Jefferson State Community College Child Development Advisory Committee.  Erika believes in quality afterschool and is committed to providing all students the opportunity to participate in afterschool.  

 21st CCLC State Director : BIO Coming Soon 

Dr. Annie Means Shoots is a 7th grade English teacher at Foley Middle School where she holds numerous leadership positions.  She also serves as the Site Director of Magnolia Elementary Afterschool Childcare program.  She and her husband Joe have three children:   Zaria, Zion, and Zanterius.  She attends Morning Star Baptist Church of Foley where she serves as recording secretary, gospel choir and home mission president.  She is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Order of the Golden Circle, Ladies of the Circle of Perfection, Cyrene Crusaders, and Heroines of Jericho.  This is her 24th year working in the Baldwin County Public School System and her sixth year serving as an afterschool site director in the elementary through high school settings.

Cindy Warner has served as the Public Relations and Community Education Supervisor for the Shelby County School District since 2002.  She coordinates all public relations and marketing efforts for the district, including internal and external communications, media relations, crisis communications, and social media.  She serves as the chair of the communications leadership committee, one of the 12 components of the district’s Strategic Plan, and as the spokesperson for the district.  She also coordinates and supervises all Community Education activities, including 15 after school care programs and adult and youth enrichment.  Warner graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations from Mississippi State University.  She earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in November 2015.  She is actively involved in the Alabama School Public Relations Association (ALSPRA) and the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).  She also serves as an APR Facilitator for the online APR Study Course.  Warner is also an active member of the Alabama Community Education Association.