Madison City Schools launched the 2025-2026 school year using space themes for the world class education the district strives to provide.
Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols, Assistant Supt. Mr. Eric Terrell, and Board of Education members hosted the event in a districtwide assembly at the Von Braun Center.
A video by district multimedia instructor Clay Combs https://youtu.be/95d-8zXwKbI wowed the audience using a simulated out-of-this-world space mission by Dr. Nichols and Mr. Terrell.
Schools officially open this Monday, Aug. 4.
The annual Institute Day program is also a way to recognize achievements and build excitement for the upcoming school year.
The District Staff Member of the Year (SMOTY) went to Ms. Florentine Keith, custodian at Journey Middle School. District TOTY (Teacher of the Year awards went to counselor Alicia Sullivan Smith at Rainbow Elementary and Brett Burgess at James Clemens High School.
Florestine Keith, custodian at Journey Middle, was named District Staff Member of the Year.
Elementary Teacher of the Year, Alicia Sullivan Smith from Rainbow Elementary.
Brett Burgess, James Clemens H.S. is Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Service recognitions were also awarded to employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of education employment.
This year's event was held in the Mark C. Smith concert hall of the Von Braun Center to accomodate the approximately 1,500 employees of Madison City Schools.
School Board President Mr. Travis Cummings delivered opening remarks, which was followed by a roll call of schools.
BOE members took part in announcing the service awards and celebrating school achievements.
Board of Education President Travis Cummings
Assistant Supt. Eric Terrell, BOE members Cara Sexton Welch and Tommy Overcash, BOE President Travis Cunningham, BOE VP Alice Lessmann, Supt. Dr. Ed Nichols, BOE member Scott Newberry.
The program ended with a video address by Huntsville icon Homer Hickam, an American author, retired NASA engineer and Vietnam veteran, whose 1998 memoire Rocket Boys was a New York Times best seller and the basis for the 1999 film, October Sky.
Hickam told how a teacher at his high school in the mining town of Coalwood, W. Va. made a difference in his learning through encouragement, giving him an external resource book and pushing he and classmates in a rocket club to enter science fairs, which they ultimately won and led them to successful science careers.
Homer Hickam in video address to Madison City Institute Day 2025
JCHS Color Guard with Board members and JC choir ensemble behind them
School delegations grouped together in the VBC's Mark Smith Concert Hall
Some school delegations used their cell phone lights when dancing to the music during roll call
MCS Board of Education members on stage
Slide of employees reaching 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service.
Institute Day recognition of employees with 20 years of service
Institute Day recognition of employees with 25 years of service
Kathy Crutcher, 30 years of service 
Carol Calloway, 35 years of service.
Institute Day recognition of employees with 10 and 15 years of service
Institute Day recognition of employees with 5 years of service
Dr. Nichols giving closing remarks at Institute Day
Madison CIty Board of Education President Mr. Travis Cummings.
Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols and Assistant Supt. Mr. Eric Terrell.
A big shoutout to MCS Transportation for providing faculties and staffs bus transportation from all the schools