SPAN of Etowah County

"Maria" enrolled in the SPAN Program on August 19, 2025 on the verge of dropping out of high school. A young mom trying to navigate work and academics she found herself falling further and further behind. Her school sent "Maria" to the SPAN Program. She was nearly two years behind in credits to graduate. There were many times as a staff we would question if Maria was going to finish all her classes. Luckily for her she had a teacher that fought hard to keep Maria motivated and on track. On May 5, 2026 Maria completed all the credits she needed to return to school and become a high school graduate!!!! We are so proud of Maria and her accomplishments and look forward to helping her navigate a new chapter in her life. SPAN continues to be the true motto of No Child Left Behind.

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Congratulations to Markayla for completing her senior year at SPAN and returning back to her school to graduate!!!
Your SPAN of Etowah County has sent EIGHT high school seniors back to obtain their diploma with two more seniors completing as I type this post (plus 18 other students working to get back in their correct grade). SPAN works diligently to make sure every student has an opportunity for success through Encouragement, Education and Empowerment!!

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The SPAN Program garden has been planted. A great way to teach students gardening tips and basic responsibilities. Looking forward to eating some Spicy Span Salsa!!

No this is not new students (lol) but a great group of community leaders from the Gadsden Chamber of Commerce visiting the SPAN Program. We hope that Charles Foley, staff and I were able to express our desire to help the youth in our county!!

In May 1998 a 25 year old thin, young man was hired as a counselor for the City Program of Etowah County. TWENTY_EIGHT years later he is blessed to still be part of an organization that diligently works with youth to prevent them from dropping out of high school or ending up in an incarcerated facility. Eventually CITY Program changed the name to the SPAN Program. The mission statement stayed the same. Encourage, educate and empower every single student that enrolls to see their true potential.
In 2017 I was again blessed to move into the Director position of SPAN Program of Etowah County. Our success over the past nine years comes from a staff that loves what they do, a community that supports the program, an advisory board that helps in all our needs, a JPO office that cares about teens, school systems that recognize that some students need a little extra. All these moving parts provides an average of 10 GED`s per year and an average of 50 students returning to school in their correct grade!!!!!
The friendships I have made over the years will last a lifetime. Some have left too soon. Dexter Johnson and Tommy Pinkard were not coworkers in my life but part of my family. Dexter was one of the greatest friends I could ever have and loved those kids dearly. Tommy was the greatest mentor in life and was there for my wedding and at the hospital for the birth of all four of my daughters. I will never forget what each meant to me in my life.
Staff has changed over the course of my 28 years within the program and I wish I could find pictures of everyone that has contributed to changing the life of a teen. When I see older students they often will ask about the well being of former staff members. If you were a past employee please know that your love and patience has not been forgotten You are still thought of to this day by now adults who wish they could see you and thank you. This is what it is all about. When I see a student from 20 plus years ago with their family and a career I thank God for the opportunity to work in a place where a group of people come together to make a difference in the lives of youth.

The Etowah County SPAN program had a wonderful time to fellowship with our other sister programs across the state in our annual conference. Learning new methodology to help our youth is crucial for the success of all the programs. Looking forward to next year!!!!!

Etowah County SPAN Program will be closed from 3/25/2026-3/27/2026. We will be at our annual conference along with the other SPAN Programs across the state. The following week will be Spring Break and we will have staff periodically in the building if you need to contact the program. Students will return to the building on April 6th.