December Board of Education Recognitions

Dec 10 2024

The Kannapolis Board of Education was proud to honor outstanding representatives from around the district at its December meeting.

A.L. Brown High School

Camora Roseman is a true leader and an asset to A. L. Brown. In fact, there are not many events at A. L. Brown that Camora is not part of. Currently, Camora is the Vice-President of Student Council, on the leadership team for Link Crew, and is the Social Media Coordinator for the Black Student Union. As Vice President of the Student Council, Camora played a key role in organizing the school’s first semi-formal Homecoming Dance, which students claimed “was the best dance ever.” In her role as Social Media Coordinator of the Black Student Union, she not only created a TikTok account but also keeps it active with photos, posts, and updates on events and volunteer opportunities. And as a Link Crew leader, she has helped plan the back to school dance for freshman and has led mentoring efforts for continued connections between upperclassmen and freshmen throughout the school year.

In addition to these leadership roles, Camora is simply a joy to be around. Her humor and creativity are unmatched, her spirit for A. L. Brown is contagious, her service for others comes first in her world. and if you are feeling down, you can always count on Camora to lift your spirits. If you are lucky, you might even catch Camora leading the school as she twins with Dr. Newell!

Lenay Turnage embodies what it means to be a Wonder each and every day. As a member of Link Crew, Juniorettes, Beta Club, and National Honor Society, Lenay continuously strives to make ALB a better place. As a dedicated Link Crew member, Lenay goes above and beyond to assist in any way possible, helping at the opening dance, assisting mentors, and supporting Freshman Orientation efforts. She also participates in Operation Christmas Child with Juniorettes, assists in the ELK clean-up with Beta Club, and participates in Student Advisory input sessions.

Carrying a 4.4 weighted GPA, Lenay is often the choice of teachers to attend events off campus, most recently being asked to participate in Scientist for a Day and a meet and greet with Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, a USDA Chief Scientist. In all of these arenas, everyone sees Lenay’s positivity, reliability, and academic prowess. In fact, Mr. Vernon, at the Research Campus, stated “wow, this young lady was so inquisitive, clearly wants to learn, and was even asking deep questions regarding food allergies and products created at the Research Center; we love students like her”.

Our extraordinary partners at Elevate and Cabarrus Health Alliance have truly made student life at A. L. Brown better. Working with the school to promote mental, academic and behavioral health of students, Elevate has helped implement our Be Proud, Be Responsible curriculum in Health and PE, established a HOPE Squad for Mental Health Awareness, supported Night School and summer programming to support student graduation rates, funded incentives, Field Day, and numerous Lunch and Learn opportunities, provided stipends for staff training that helps build capacity in teacher leadership efforts, funded transportation for internships, and sponsored the Wonder Podcast and Link Crew initiatives, including national training efforts, meals for advisory groups, and a back-to-school dance.

Our partnership with Elevate and the Cabarrus Health Alliance has also connected leadership with programs such as the Learning Collaborative Initiative within the county, provided an opportunity for students to help plan and speak at the Equity Summit for Cabarrus, and invited a group of students to participate in Cuidate, a culturally tailored program designed specifically for Latino youth leadership development. Elevate’s unwavering support ensures that students and staff alike have the resources needed to thrive. These efforts guarantee that our students have a strong foundation for their growth as individuals and help to ensure they are developing a range of skills to prepare them for the world after high school.

KCS could not run without Rolando Pena! Mr. Pena is so incredibly dependable, knowledgeable, and is always smiling and positive. Usually one of the first drivers to arrive at A. L. Brown, Mr. Pena always has answers to their questions, doesn’t get frustrated when asked for clarification, and truly knows what is going on across all bus routes. Possibly a walking GPS, Mr. Pena knows all of the bus routes and is always willing to pick up a second route, even at the last minute, or to go back and pick up students who missed their buses if needed.

Mr. Pena’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the usual school hours as well, as he was willing to drive for A. L. Brown’s Night School program this year. Because Mr. Pena was able to transport students home from Night School, students who don’t have personal transportation were able to gain access to the after school instructional support they needed to succeed and earn back credits towards graduation.

Through all interactions, Mr. Pena’s attitude is unparalleled, radiating kindness, professionalism, and an infectious energy that lifts everyone’s spirits. Mr. Pena is not just a bus driver; he is a cornerstone of our community, proving a great attitude and a willingness to go the extra mile can truly make a difference each and every day.

Beth Yanez has been a huge part of our Independent Learning Center program for over three years and we truly do not know what we would do without her! Joining ALB from North Kannapolis, Ms. Yanez jumped right in and loved the students of the ILC program, supporting their academic, developmental, and social growth. Ms. Yanez helps to create centers for the students with hands-on activities like pumpkin math, communicates with parents as needed, and provides transportation to off campus activities for our students. This year, Ms. Yanez stepped up to fill a teacher role in the ILC classroom and has done a tremendous job in this role. She attends PLC meetings, supports her colleagues in learning about student needs, works with families to ensure there is a bridge between the home and school, and seeks opportunities to further her education and certification so she can permanently move into the teaching role. Ms. Yanez is inquisitive and always willing to grow as a professional and this drive is so valuable for A. L. Brown.

Additionally, Ms. Yanez’s personality is infectious. There is not a day that goes by that Ms. Yanez does not greet you with a welcoming, kind smile. We truly know Ms. Yanez would do whatever it takes to make ALB successful, making her an indispensable part of our Wonder team.

Hector Ramirez is a true embodiment of what it means to be a Wonder, providing a safe place in his classroom for all students, supporting transition for newcomers to A. L. Brown, being an integral part of multiple school committees, and serving as a role model for all in the ALB core values. As a co-teacher in English, Mr. Ramirez supports ML instruction and helps students achieve in their academic areas. As a member of the MTSS Problem Solving team, Mr. Ramirez mentors students, advocates for use of data to make informed decisions, and ensures students get needed interventions. As a member of the SIT team, Mr. Ramirez asks thoughtful questions and encourages ALB to get better each and every day. Throughout the school community, Mr. Ramirez is also an invaluable resource, always willing to assist with translating and communicating with families, working with community partners to advocate for students and acquire tools and resources they need to succeed, and helping students plan for their future with college applications, FAFSA assistance, and career planning.

Further, Mr. Ramirez’s positive attitude makes everyone feel welcome, supported and part of the family. We know that Mr. Ramirez will jump in whenever needed and appreciate his devotion towards the success of the whole Kannapolis Community.

The Board was also pleased to recognize the Hilbish Ford Teacher of the Month, Samantha Berg, Exceptional Children’s Teacher, A.L. Brown High School.

Samantha Berg is a great asset to A. L. Brown High School, the KCS Exceptional Children’s program and to all students. A lifelong learner, Ms. Berg has gained certification in the areas of Exceptional Children, Counseling, and is currently completing coursework in the area of administration. This range of knowledge makes Ms. Berg invaluable when addressing student needs. Further, Ms. Berg always wants the best for students and strives to create an environment where students feel understood, cared for, and inspired at all times.

As a leader in the school community, Ms. Berg is part of the MTSS Problem-Solving Team, is the EC Department Chair, and serves in an administrative capacity when administrators need to be off campus. Ms. Berg connects with district support to better A. L. Brown High School and ensures she asks questions to garner necessary information and resources for students and staff.

One of the students who nominated Ms. Berg for this award shared that “Ms. Berg has been the biggest help to me. When I need help with my math work, she’s right there. She’s a great person—so kind to everyone—and even when she’s having a bad day, she still makes people smile. I appreciate her a lot for her help; I don’t know where I would be without her."

Another student shared, “She’s a good teacher who is actually there for her students and cares for them. She stops whatever she’s doing to check in when something is wrong. She’s one of the teachers I trust with everything. I can talk to her without feeling judged."

A former student also expressed the lasting impact Ms. Berg has had: "Ms. Berg inspired me a few years ago, showing me I could achieve more than I ever thought. Even after I left K-Town, she still checks in on me and even came to my game at Cox Mill last year to cheer me on. She was there for me when no one else was and encouraged me both in and out of the classroom."

Samantha, the Kannapolis City Board of Education is proud to recognize you as the Hilbish Teacher of the Month. Your kindness, dedication, and profound impact on your students’ lives are truly remarkable. We are honored to present you with this certificate of recognition.