Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Dr. Tonya S. Chestnut of Selma was elected Vice President of the Alabama State Board of Education at its meeting on July 9.

Chestnut is the District V state board representative for the counties of  Dallas, Autauga, Bullock, Choctaw, Clarke, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Sumter, Washington and Wilcox.  Chestnut said she is honored with the selection.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Vice President of the State School Board,” Chestnut said. “I am honored to accept this position and look forward to working with the other board members to support and enhance the education system in our state. I am committed to promoting academic excellence and ensuring that all students have access to a quality education.”

Chestnut has an impressive resume in education with over 30 years of leadership and instructional experience. Chestnut’s commitment to K-12 education is represented in her tireless community service as a pastor, educational consultant, dean of teacher education, principal coach, federal programs director, curriculum director, school principal, and teacher.  

Chestnut received a Bachelor of Science Degree at Jacksonville State, a Master of Education Degree at Alabama State in Early Childhood Education, and an Education Specialist Degree at Auburn University-Montgomery for Instructional Leadership. She also earned a Doctor of Education Degree in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University.