Name: Michael Hurst
Job Title: Electrical Working Foreman
What I Do at the ECA: I instruct the Electrical Apprenticeship Program.
What I Love Most About My Job: I get to work on and troubleshoot different electrical systems and problems.
One Piece of Career Advice I Always Share: Always be true to yourself and others.
Fun Fact About Myself: I'm loving life and meeting new friends.
My Favorite Hobby/Interest Outside of Work: I love hunting and fishing and spending time with my grandkids.
Favorite Quote or Motto: Always watch out for yourself and those around you.
The Elba Career Academy shout-out for Career Tech Month
Name: Seth Wilcox
Job Title / Role: Welding Teacher
What I Do at the ECA: As a welding teacher I train students in the skills and knowledge needed to safely and successfully work in the welding industry. It’s a mix of hands-on instruction, classroom teaching, and career preparation.
What I Love Most About My Job:
One of the greatest joys of teaching welding is showing students something completely new and watching their excitement when they successfully pass their very first weld plate. It’s also rewarding to see the friendly competitions that naturally develop as students encourage each other and push themselves to improve their skills.
One Piece of Career Advice I Always Share:
If you don’t show up on time and do your job, it doesn’t matter how skilled you are - an employer won’t keep you. I would rather hire an average welder who is dependable and works hard than the world’s best welder who is always late and barely works when clocked in. Your work ethic says a lot about the kind of person you are.
Fun Fact About Me:
I have been on nine mission trips across five different countries.
Favorite Hobbies / Interests Outside of Work:
Going to church, spending time with my family, building projects, and gardening.
Favorite Quote or Motto:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13
The Elba Career Academy is excited to share how proud we are of all of our SkillsUSA participants! We are especially proud to announce that Earl Tolentino who placed 1st and Mateo Jimenez who placed 2nd at the district competition will now advance to the State Competition in Birmingham. We would also like to recognize Ethan Danley. We are proud of his hard work, dedication, and commitment to representing The Elba Career Academy. Congratulations to these students for their outstanding achievements, and we wish them the best of luck as they represent The Elba Career Academy at the state level!
Job Title / Role: Business Teacher
What I Do at the ECA: I teach Business Management and Administration and Career Preparedness courses at ECA, where I help students develop real-world skills for college, careers, and leadership. I also serve as the advisor for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
What I Love Most About My Job: I love helping students discover their strengths and see how their interests can turn into real career opportunities. Watching students grow in confidence and realize their potential is the most rewarding part of teaching.
One Piece of Career Advice I Always Share: Don’t be afraid to start before you feel “ready.” Skills can be learned, confidence grows with experience, and effort often matters more than perfection.
Fun Fact About Me: I love all things Disney World and Taylor Swift—I believe life should have a little Disney magic and a great Taylor Swift soundtrack.
My Favorite Hobby / Interest Outside of Work: When I’m not teaching, you’ll probably find me exploring antique shops or curled up with a book, especially a classic Jane Austen novel.
Favorite Quote or Motto: “It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” ~Jane Austen
Name: Starla Amison
Job Title / Role: Health Science Instructor
What I Do at the ECA: I teach our health science classes and prepare my students to achieve
their CNA certification
What I Love Most About My Job: I love sharing the world of healthcare with my students and
watching them succeed
One Piece of Career Advice I Always Share: Chose what you love and you will never work a
day in your life.
Fun Fact About Me: I am a 1986 graduate of Elba High School
My Favorite Hobby / Interest Outside of Work: Spending time with family; thrifting
Favorite Quote or Motto: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians
4:13
The Elba Career Academy shoutout for Career Tech Month
Name: Mrs. Mary Brunson Thompson
Job Title / Role: Career Coach
What I Do at the ECA:
I help students explore career options, set meaningful goals, build professional skills, and develop clear plans for success in their chosen paths. I also support students with résumé writing and interview preparation while assisting with a variety of tasks, including social media promotion.
What I Love Most About My Job:
Helping students realize they have more options than they think and that no one is limited by their current situation.
One Piece of Career Advice I Always Share:
You cannot have a million-dollar dream with a minimum-wage work ethic.
Fun Fact About Me:
I am a fourth-generation Elba High School graduate and currently serve on the Alumni Board for the Hall School of Journalism and Communication at Troy University. I am also a junior member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. With a background in marketing, advertising, and event planning, I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience back to my alma mater.
My Favorite Hobby / Interest Outside of Work:
Spending time with my family, going to the beach, and spending time with the Lord. I also enjoy watching historical documentaries about American and English history and am a proud “Heartie” who loves, When Calls the Heart, on the Hallmark Channel.
Favorite Quote or Motto:
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” - Walt Disney
We hope you had a wonderful week filled with helping students discover their strengths, plan for their futures, and believe in what’s possible.
We hope your weekend is full of all the reading your sweet baby Charlie will allow. The Elba Career Academy is truly lucky to have you, Rachel!
Elba City Schools proudly celebrates and thanks our outstanding Career Tech teachers for the incredible work they do every single day to prepare our students for success beyond the classroom.
At the Elba Career Academy, students are given real opportunities to explore meaningful career pathways through hands-on learning and industry-relevant skills. Our programs include:
🩺 Health Science
🛠️ Welding
🪚 Carpentry
💡 Electrical
🐮 General Agriculture
🧑🍳 Family & Consumer Science
🧑💼 Business Administrative Services
🎒 Early Childhood Education
💈Cosmetology
✈️Aviation Technology
🚛 Diesel Technology
🤝 Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG)
These classes do more than teach skills - they open doors, build confidence, and create futures.
We are grateful for our CT teachers who pour their time, talent, and heart into helping our students discover their passions and prepare for life after graduation.
Thank you, Career Tech teachers, for the amazing job you do!
Name: Mrs. Rachel Foster
Job Title / Role: CTE School Counselor at The Elba Career Academy
What I Do at the ECA: As the Career and Technical Education School Counselor, I partner with students and families to navigate dual enrollment and course scheduling; set and refine career, academic, and social goals; and create individualized pathways to reach these goals. I coordinate resources, connect learners with postsecondary and career opportunities, and provide ongoing guidance so each student can make informed choices and succeed.
What I Love Most About My Job: My favorite thing about my job is that I get to have conversations with students who are passionate about their future careers. Sometimes they have an idea but need help to connect where they are to where they want to be, and helping them solve that puzzle is so rewarding.
One Piece of Career Advice I Always Share: Have a plan, but be flexible--you never know where an opportunity will take you.
Fun Fact About Me: Fun is so subjective, so take your pick! I got to travel to Finland to present at an international conference in 2023. I work at a polling location every election day. I have been to the When We Were Young music festival in Las Vegas twice (and got married there one of those times). I have twin nephews who were born a week after my baby in July.
My Favorite Hobby / Interest Outside of Work: Recently, I've been learning to crochet.
Favorite Quote or Motto: "Always be nice to the lunch lady." -Katherine Freeman (my grandmother)
Meet Our Staff: Stephanie Govan-Jones
Job Title/Role: JAG Teacher
What I do at the ECA: As part of the JAG mission, I empower young people with the skills and support they need to succeed in education, employment, and life.
What I love most about my job: Pouring hope into my students.
One piece of career advice I always share: Be the light that shines in dark places.
Fun fact about me: I’m a twin mom to a boy and a girl.
My favorite hobby/interest outside of work: I enjoy spending time with my family, staying active, and attending church.
Favorite quote or motto: Today is a GOOD day to have a GOOD day!
