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

Dr. Tracye Strichik is no stranger to the world of education. Her lifelong commitment to serving others through education expands from the state level to her local community. Tracye finds joy in collaborating with others to empower Autauga County students and educators.

Read below to learn more about Tracye!

Q: What is your current occupation?

A: I and am the executive director of the Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance. While I am retired from full-time work, I previously served in key leadership roles at the state level, including as the director of the Alabama Reading Initiative at the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), the Alabama First Class Pre-K director, and the senior director of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. Earlier in my career, I worked in Autauga County Schools as a kindergarten, first grade, third grade, and gifted teacher, which gave me a strong foundation in understanding the needs of students and educators.

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

A:  I currently serve as the chair of the Autauga County Board of Education, and I have served on the school board for two years. My inspiration to run came from a lifelong commitment to education, a passion that was deepened during my career at the state level. I wanted to bring the principles of effective systems-building I learned through statewide initiatives directly to my local community. At the local level, change can be seen more quickly because we are closest to the people we serve, which makes the work especially rewarding.

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

A: I genuinely enjoy working with a team that’s as committed to our schools as I am. Collaborating to create policies and programs that empower our students and educators is incredibly rewarding. We’re also fortunate to have Mr. Lyman Woodfin, an amazing superintendent who leads with heart and keeps the children and families of Autauga County at the center of every decision. And let’s not forget my fellow board members—they bring a collaborative spirit, servant hearts and just the right mix of courage and good humor to tackle even the toughest decisions. It’s a privilege to work alongside such dedicated people!

Q: What’s one key thing you’ve learned since becoming a board member?

A: I’ve learned that aligning vision, leadership, and resources is key to creating systems that last, and that requires thoughtful planning, collaboration and the ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned —which is often! We’re in a funding crisis, but I’m convinced we have the dream team—a board, city council, county commission, and state leaders who are not only capable but also creative enough to help us turn challenges into opportunities. Together, we can build a system so successful it might just make other systems jealous!

Q: Are there any special initiatives or projects you’re proud of accomplishing with your board or looking forward to working on with them?

A: Looking back, we’ve achieved some big wins as a board—and we’ve done it together. We hired an exceptional superintendent and a top-notch chief school financial officer, setting the foundation for strong leadership. We developed a strategic plan that isn’t just another binder on a shelf—it’s data-driven, actionable and measurable. We also earned systemwide Cognia reaccreditation, which was no small feat, and landed numerous grants that are already making a difference in our schools.

Our partnerships have truly been game-changers. With Central Alabama Community College, we’ve brought dual enrollment as well as STEM learning opportunities and career exploration to our students, opening doors to their futures. Thanks to our collaboration with the YMCA, we’ve expanded summer learning to include enrichment programs that keep children excited about learning year-round. And thanks to the incredible support of our state legislators, we’ve made much-needed capital improvements to aging facilities, ensuring safer and better-equipped learning environments for our students. The city of Prattville renovated the stadium used by Prattville High School, a win not just for the school but for the whole community.

As a board, our future goals are clear: to continue building partnerships across every level of the ecosystem and to develop innovative strategies that keep Autauga County students thriving. We want to leave this school system better than we found it -- not just a little better, but miles ahead. And if we can keep doing all of this with strong teamwork, a few laughs along the way and an unwavering focus on our students’ success, we’ll call it a job well done!

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

A: Focus on building relationships and listening to diverse perspectives. Understand that every decision you make should contribute to a larger system that serves the needs of students, educators and families effectively.

Q: What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of your role as a board member?

A: I enjoy reading, hiking, and volunteering in my community.

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

A: One thing you should know about me is that I am dedicated to creating opportunities for every student to thrive, drawing on my years of experience in education and my passion for lifelong learning.

Q: What is your favorite inspirational quote or mantra that keeps you motivated?

A: “Systems are perfectly designed to get the results they produce.” – W. Edwards Deming

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