By Jacob Hatcher  

For the Enquirer  

Hartselle City Schools Institute was held Aug. 3 in the Hartselle High School auditorium, where 500 Hartselle City School employees and elected officials gathered for professional development ahead of the 2022-23 school year. In addition to the Institute, the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Teacher Welcome reception, where teachers were treated to biscuits from Chick- FIl-A provided by First Baptist Church Hartselle, as well as coffee from Warehouse Coffee.  

A welcome was given by HACC President/CEO Missy Evans, Decatur Morgan Vice President of Development Noel Lovelace and Wendy Lang of the Alabama Education Association. Larry Franks of First Priority Decatur Alabama prayed for a blessing over the coming school year.  

Hailey Clark, who teaches at Hartselle Junior High School, said she enjoys the annual kickoff event.  

“The HCS Institute is something that I look forward to at the start of each year,” Clark said. “As tiring as it is to prepare for a new school year, I always feel refreshed and excited for school to begin when I leave Institute.”  

“The speaker was great and very relevant,” Crestline Elementary School principal Karissa Lang added. “It was very interesting hearing her explain the identity of each generation and the impact that it has on our interactions with each other and students.” 

The presenting sponsor of the Institute was Decatur Morgan Hospital. Gold sponsors for the event included Gilchrist Pharmacy, Inc., Redstone Federal Credit Union, and WCU Credit Union, and the welcome sponsor was Peoples Bank of Alabama. Booth sponsors included Hartselle Utilities, Hidden Rivers Farm, Main St. Mortgage Inc., Merithouse Realty, One Source Office Productions, Excel Interior Door and RAW Images.  

Seven giveaways were provided thanks to the Friends of Education sponsors Corum’s Building and Farm Center, Hannah’s Lawn and Landscape Services, Inc., Hartselle Rotary Club, Hulse Family Chiropractic, Inspired Design and Graphics, JMK Martial Arts and Fitness, and Mack’s Paint and Body.