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District 5 State Board Representative Dr. Tonya Chestnut was the guest speaker at the Selma Rotary Club on Monday.

Chestnut, also the Alabama State Board of Education President PRO Tem, discussed a variety of topics at the meeting.

Two of the subjects were the Alabama Literacy Act and the Alabama Numeracy Act, which Chestnut called both national initiatives.

“We are not where we want to be, but we’re seeing results in Alabama,” Chestnut said. “I’m excited about what’s ahead for Alabama.”

Chestnut said she’s proud of connecting with the counties in the districts she represents:  Autauga, Bullock, Choctaw, Clarke, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe,Montgomery, Perry, Sumter, Washington, and Willcox counties.

“I reached my goal of connecting with all of the counties I represent,” Chestnut said.

A Selma native, Chestnut praised the  hard work and leadership of both Selma City Schools Superintendent Dr. Zickeyous Byrd and Dallas County Schools Superintendent Anthony Sampson.

“I thank God for the vision of Dr. Zickeyous Byrd and Anthony Sampson,” Chestnut said.

Chestnut said that she wants the Selma Rotary Club to partner with SBOE for literacy.

“We have the right ingredients in Selma to make this happen,” Chestnut said. “It takes an entire village.”

Chestnut has 40 years of education experience and up for re-election next year.