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Sip sip hooray, students celebrate finishing ACAP with a fun flavored water!
Sip Sip Hooray! 🥤🎉
Jade Hermon

Sip sip hooray! 🥤🎉 Our students CRUSHED the ACAP and celebrated in the sweetest way! 💪📚✨

 

They mixed up some seriously fun drinks 💦🍬, added a splash of flavor, a dash of candy, and topped it off with the cutest cup decorations 🎨🫶 Talk about a recipe for success! 🍭🥤

 

Huge cheers to Mrs. Huizinga for pouring so much love into this celebration 💛👏 It was the perfect way to toast our students’ hard work!

 

Librarian Katie Busby stands in the Tuscaloosa Magnet Elementary library
Busby Named Among State’s Top 16 Finalists for Alabama Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lydia Avant

The Tuscaloosa City Schools is celebrating a major milestone as Katy Busby, librarian at Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Elementary and Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Middle, has been named one of the top 16 finalists for Alabama Elementary Teacher of the Year.

The honor places Busby among the top educators in the state and recognizes her as the leading elementary teacher for this region. She will now advance in the selection process, competing to be named one of four finalists. From that group, the Alabama Elementary Teacher of the Year will be selected.

Busby, who spent 15 years in the classroom before becoming a librarian four years ago, was surprised with the announcement Monday afternoon. As she entered the school cafeteria, she was greeted by a room full of cheering students and staff celebrating her achievement.

Superintendent Mike Daria said Busby’s impact is evident the moment you step into her school.

“I was in her library during a lesson last week, and to see the enthusiasm, the knowledge, and the level of engagement from her students, it’s absolute magic,” Daria said. “That’s what our teachers do. They create these incredible learning experiences every day that help students love learning and understand how it connects beyond the classroom. That’s what Ms. Busby does so well.”

Daria added that Busby represents not only excellence, but a higher standard for the profession.

“She is not only a gold standard of excellence in teaching, but someone who helps us continually raise that standard,” he said. “She doesn’t just meet expectations, she helps redefine them. You see it in her work, in how she connects with students, and in the care she shows for her school and our entire system.”

Daria noted that the recognition is especially meaningful for the district.

“It has been more than a decade since Tuscaloosa City Schools has had a teacher named among the top 16 finalists at the state level,” he said. “This honor reflects the outstanding work happening in our schools every day.”

Busby was previously named Elementary Teacher of the Year for Tuscaloosa City Schools in December 2025, earning her place in the state competition sponsored by the Alabama State Department of Education. The Alabama Teacher of the Year program highlights educators who demonstrate exceptional teaching, leadership, and dedication to student success.

Assistant Principal April Ball
Happy Assistant Principal’s Week, April Ball!! 🎉💛✨
Jade Hermon

🌟 Your kindness, leadership, and constant encouragement make such a difference in the lives of our students and staff every single day. You truly are a light in our building, always lifting others up and leading with heart 💫

 

✨Thank you for the countless hours, the hard work behind the scenes, and the care you pour into our school community 💕 We appreciate you more than words can say, TMS-E is lucky to have you! 💙 #APWeek #GratefulHeart

Principal Preeti Nichani sits smiling as she is announced with the award.
TMSE Principal Surprised With National Distinguished Principal Honor
Lydia Avant

Dr. Preeti Nichani, principal of Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools–Elementary, was surprised Tuesday afternoon when she walked into a gymnasium filled with hundreds of cheering students, colleagues and community leaders to learn she had been named a National Distinguished Principal, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to elementary school leaders in the United States.

Students from both Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools–Elementary and Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools–Middle packed the gym along with teachers, district leaders and members of the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education. As Nichani entered, the crowd erupted in applause. She stood momentarily speechless, visibly shocked by the surprise.

The National Distinguished Principals program recognizes exemplary elementary and middle school principals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a strong commitment to student achievement and meaningful contributions to their school communities.

Under Nichani’s leadership, Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools–Elementary has earned numerous academic and character-based distinctions.

Principal Preeti Nichani is handed flowers from a student.

Among the school’s notable achievements during her tenure:

  • TMSE was named one of Alabama’s Top 50 schools for third-grade reading growth in 2018.

  • The school received the Legislative Performance Recognition Award under the Code of Alabama §16-6C-3 after earning a perfect score of 100 on the state report card.

  • TMSE was recognized as both a State and National School of Character in 2022.

Nichani said the honor reflects the many people who have supported her during her career.

“This has been a 24-year journey,” Nichani said. “This is not my award that I’m receiving — this is your award. It belongs to the Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools, Tuscaloosa City Schools, this board and this community. It’s the students and the people around me who have made me better.”

Tuscaloosa City Schools Superintendent Mike Daria said Nichani’s leadership has had a lasting impact on students and educators across the district.

“For a lot of people, you measure a career in years. But for the great ones, you measure a career in impact,” Daria said. “Dr. Nichani has a career of impact. Everything she touches turns to gold. I look in this room and see so many students whose lives are better because of her leadership.”

The National Distinguished Principals program honors school leaders from across the country who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a lasting influence on their schools and communities. Nichani will represent Alabama in the national program and will be recognized at a reception in Washington, D.C., in October 2026 and during the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators fall conference in November.

Celebrating School Social Work Week: Honoring Tesney Davis and Jennifer Smith
Celebrating School Social Work Week: Honoring Tesney Davis and Jennifer Smith
Jade Hermon

March 1–7 is School Social Work Week, a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible impact school social workers have on students, families, and staff. At our school, we are proud to honor Tesney Davis and Jennifer Smith for the heart, dedication, and unwavering support they bring to our community each and every day.

No matter how full their schedules may be, Ms. Davis and Ms. Smith are consistently available, present, and ready to offer their time and care. Their days are often filled with meetings, counseling sessions, problem-solving, and crisis response, yet they approach each situation with compassion, patience, and professionalism.

While much of their work happens behind the scenes, the impact of their efforts can be seen throughout our school. They help restore smiles, guide students and families through challenging moments, and build meaningful relationships that foster trust and stability. Their support extends beyond individual students, positively influencing classrooms and strengthening our entire school community.

School Social Work Week gives us a special opportunity to say thank you. We are deeply grateful for the difference Ms. Davis and Ms. Smith make in the lives of our faculty, students, and families every single day. Their commitment to serving others truly embodies the spirit of our school community.