Each month, we'll be featuring school board members in an effort to learn more about the wonderful individuals serving on our boards!

Sharon Breaseale has spent most of her life supporting Alabama's education system. She is proud to serve on her local school board and to have the opportunity to give back to the school system that helped shape her future.

Read below to learn more about Sharon!

Q: What is your current occupation? If retired, what did you do before?

A: I have been retired from education for 12 years. I was a librarian and media specialist for 35 years in the Blount County and Oneonta City school systems.

Q: How long have you been on the school board and what inspired you to run?

A: I have served on the Oneonta City school board for seven years. I was originally appointed to fill a vacant spot and then ran unopposed. I am up to run again this year and I am thrilled to be unopposed again!

Q: What do you enjoy most about being a school board member?

A: I am 1971 graduate of Oneonta City Schools. I lived out of the district, but my parents made the decision back then to enroll me in Oneonta. I have always loved my school system and feel truly honored at this point in my life to give back by serving on the board!

Q: What is one lesson you've learned since becoming a board member?

A: Having always worked in education, I had a pretty good understanding of how a good school works going into board service, but I learned you don’t really understand how a school board operates until you have the opportunity to serve! Our board has a wonderful working relationship with our superintendent, central office, faculty and staff.  We don’t have personal agendas or attempt to micromanage. We have all learned to work hard for our faculty and students while staying in our lane as school board members.

Q: Is there anything you are particularly proud of your board for accomplishing? Anything you’re looking forward to accomplishing with them? 

A: I am so proud of the accomplishments our system has made during my seven-year tenure. Our system has been blessed to have two forward-thinking and hardworking superintendents during this time. They along with our administrators and faculty have kept our school system in a great position academically— something that our parents and community are very proud of. I'm also proud of the fact that we've had community support in all sports and have great athletic success!

Q: What’s one piece of advice you would share with an incoming board member?

A: My advice would be not to run if you don’t have a true love for education and your school system. It takes more time than most people realize, so don’t come onto the board with a personal agenda. Instead, come with respect for how a good board should work together and a personal commitment to get along with other board members. After all, we are supposed to all be in this together!

Q: Outside of working with the board, what are some of your hobbies? 

A: My hobbies include reading, gardening, acting with our community theater and painting. I am a Master Gardener, and I enjoy serving on our town’s beautification board and helping with its projects.

Q: Finish the sentence. One thing you should know about me is…

A: I truly believe that at this point in my life, I need to be giving back to people who may be having tough times as well as to the school system and town that has always been so good to me. I don’t like to be in social clubs, but I enjoy being on several local working boards. 

Q: Do you have an inspirational quote or mantra that keeps you going?

A: My personal mantra is “Do all you can to serve."  I just got back from my first mission trip and it was a wonderful experience!

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