Accomplishments & Qualifications

    • Becky Birdsong has a proven ability to manage and generate funds. The Geneva County Elementary School bank account had a balance of $22,395 in 2007 when Becky Birdsong became principal. Through the judicial and efficient use of funds, the account has a balance of over $82,000 as of December 31, 2011. County funds will be managed in the same manner.

    • Under Becky Birdsong’s leadership, Geneva County Elementary School has recently received a grant from the Alabama State Council for the Arts for an art teacher. The grant awarded to GCES is the largest amount given out this year by the Arts Council. The students at GCES will have an art class once a week for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year. GCES will be the only school in Geneva County with an elementary arts program.

    • Becky Birdsong visited Washington, DC in October for an award reception honoring schools that were awarded the US Healthier Schools Challenge Award. The HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary initiative established in 2004 to recognize those schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. Since the beginning of the HealthierUS School Challenge in 2004, awards have been given to schools in 45 states. As of October 20, 2011, there are only 2161 schools certified nationwide, and Geneva County Elementary School is one of those to receive the elite award.
      Click here to view the PDF press release from ASCA detailing the awards given to GCES.

    • Becky started a chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society at Geneva County Elementary School in 2010. The organization recognizes students in grades 4-5 who have outstanding academic achievement.  GCES is the only elementary school in the county with this organization.

    • Geneva County Elementary is also the only Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) School in Geneva County. This program provides professional development for teachers to increase hands-on learning for students.

    • Becky Birdsong began the school garden program at GCES in 2010 with the help of her husband, William Birdsong, who works as an agronomist for Auburn University. Students learn how to plant, grow, and harvest fruits and vegetables in the garden. The food is sold to the GCES lunchroom, as well as other lunchrooms in the county. The food is prepared and served in the cafeteria. Becky and William were asked to present a program at the state Child Nutrition Director’s Conference in November of 2011 on how to implement a school garden program.

    • In collaboration with the Geneva County Child Nutrition Director Anita Motley and Lunchroom Manager Deborah Justice, Becky Birdsong instituted “Breakfast in the Classroom” last year, and it increased the percentage of students who ate a nutritious breakfast from 25% to 85%.
      Please click here to view the article published in the Alabama School Journal related to the program.

    • Becky Birdsong has strong leadership skills to improve student test scores and raise student achievement. (See chart below)