By By Lydia Grimes – lifestyles reporter
Lillie Dove, a local leader in education, was recently honored at the Alabama Association of School Boards convention in Birmingham.
Dove, who has been a member of the Brewton Board of Education for six years, was named an Alabama All-State School Board Member.
The All-State School Board Member distinction is the highest honor AASB bestows. Dove is the first Brewton school board member to win the award, which has been given annually since 1992.
All-State candidates are nominated by their fellow board members and judged by a panel of distinguished former school board members. The winners are chosen for their commitment of ethical standards, proven records of activism, rapport with local officials and leadership in education and community activities.
All of this year's winners have been active participants in AASB's School Board Member Academy, an ongoing school for school board members. Dove has completed all four levels of the Academy and, by continuing her training, has twice earned the distinction Master School Board Member.
The Academy, an ongoing &#8220school for school board members” founded in 1986, has four achievement levels based on the number of credit hours board members earn by attending conferences and workshops in eight key areas: roles and responsibilities; policy and planning; financial accountability; the optimal learning environment; academic achievement; staff development; board meetings and school law; and community engagement.
Brewton City School Superintendent Lynn Smith said the nomination was a big honor.
Dove taught in public schools for 30 years and three states. She is an avid public education supporter, providing strong leadership to the Brewton City Schools. In 2003, she campaigned actively - and successfully - for passage of a property tax increase in Brewton and Escambia County. She also is actively involved in the development of new policies for the school system.
At the state level, Dove has served on numerous AASB committees, including the Summer Conference Planning, Nominating, and Multicultural committees. At the national level, she has worked with Alabama's congressional delegation through the National School Boards Association's Federal Relations Network, traveling to Washington, D.C., on behalf of AASB's and NSBA's legislative agendas for public education.
Dove is active in the Brewton Area Habitat for Humanity, Executive Committee for the Southern Normal Alumni Association, and Escambia County Retired Teachers Association. She teaches piano and has had nine recitals. She is also the musician for St. Mark's Baptist Church on Pea Ridge Road.
In supporting her nomination, Brewton Mayor Ted Jennings called her a natural choice for appointment to the school.
Dove was honored Dec. 9, along with Morris Acker of Tuscaloosa County, Dr. Kirit Chaptwala of Selma, Dr. Mally Moody of Oxford and Lynda Powell of Covington County, at AASB's convention at The Wynfrey Hotel near Birmingham.
Dove said she was very proud of the nomination.