By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA–The Shelby County Board of Education meeting held on Thursday, Nov. 19 featured Gwendolyn Brown and her son Jackkob Brown, a fourth grader at Helena Intermediate School.

Gwendolyn addressed the board members during the public comments portion of the meeting to show her appreciation for what’s right with Shelby County Schools.

“With my job as a disABILITY Advocate, I get all of the calls about what is going on wrong and never a return call when things are going right,” said Gwendolyn.

Gwendolyn mentioned to the board that her son Jackkob has a critical blood disorder known as Sickle Cell disease.

Because of this, Jackkob misses a lot of school and it can affect the rate at which he is able to learn. Gwendolyn said at times, the journey with her son having to play catch up because of his illness can be stressful.

After mentioning this to the board, Gwendolyn then discussed how she has seen a drastic and positive change in Jackkob’s schoolwork this year because of his teacher at HIS.

“At Helena Intermediate School, we have an incredibly amazing fourth grade teacher by the name of Ashlee Elliott,” said Gwendolyn. “She has caused our son to embrace his days of learning so much till he works through a great deal of his pain doing his best to stay in school. Elliott stays 10 steps ahead of us and provides us a peace of mind that our son is indeed in the hands of super great care.”

Gwendolyn also praised the Helena Intermediate School administration, nurses and counselors who also provide help and support to Jackkob.

Gwendolyn ended by saying it is important for parents to share moments when things are going right.

“My hope is that you will take the time out to observe the success that is taking place in Ashlee Elliott’s Classroom at Helena Intermediate School,” said Gwendolyn. “I know greatness when I see it and I see it in the eyes of my son when he speaks about her.”