Moving from Birmingham to Scottsboro, Alabama, in August of 1993 was a very exciting experience for the Speers family. Gary attended and graduated from Woodlawn High in the Birmingham Public School District. His wife Kim graduated from Scottsboro High and returned to become employed at Brownwood Elementary School as Library/Media Specialist for Scottsboro City Schools. Daughters Kristin, Rebecca and Stephanie completed their education in Scottsboro.
Speers obtained his first job in Scottsboro as a substitute teacher at the old Scottsboro High School (now Collins Intermediate) and realized he could make a contribution to the community.
Dr. Speers has been involved in numerous opportunities since moving to Scottsboro including being employed with Jackson County Juvenile Court serving as a Probation Officer. Pastor of St. Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, School Counselor at the Elementary and Secondary levels then an Assistant Principal at Collins Intermediate School.
He served on the Scottsboro City Council while earning his Educational Specialist Degree (Ed. S.) and in 2014 earned his Educational Administration Degree (Ed. D.) from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
Speers says one of his proudest moments was to serve as Principal of Brownwood Elementary which closed in May 2018. Two of the five years, Brownwood was recognized and received an “A” Rating as designated by the Alabama State Department of Education for school years 2018 and 2019. He has retired from Scottsboro City Schools and is currently the Pastor of Aspel United Methodist Church.
Since retirement he has obtained part-time employment at the University of Alabama In Huntsville serving as a Research Scientist.
Other activities and interests include serving as Past President and member in good standing with the serves Scottsboro Lions Club. Co-founder of the Scottsboro Multicultural Heritage Foundation and Co-founder of the Scottsboro Boys Museum and Cultural Center. Past President of the Scottsboro Citizen Police Academy.
At this station in life, Speers says he would like to continue to make contributions to the community that has given so much to his family. One of his personal marching mantras has been, “do all you can while you can and give God the praise.”
On August 25, 2020 elect Gary Speers Place # 5 to the Scottsboro Board of Education so that he may continue to represent, advocate for, and let the voices of our students and staff be heard in our community.
