Troy University graduate Chresal D. Threadgill, Superintendent of Mobile County Public Schools, was named Alabama’s Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama at the annual conference in Florence, Alabama, in October.

“Very rarely am I speechless, but I was speechless when my name was called,” Threadgill said. “As District I President for School Superintendents of Alabama, I have had the opportunity to get to know many excellent superintendents throughout our state.

“However, this award is really a recognition of the hard work of #TEAMMCPSS, my Mobile County Public School System employees, students, parents and community partners. Without them, it would not have been possible for me to receive this award.”

Threadgill decided to pursue his career in educational leadership after witnessing his aunt’s hard work and dedication as an educator.

“I come from a long line of educators and individuals whose lives were improved through education,” Threadgill said. “My aunt was a student at Augusta Evans Special School here in Mobile, and I volunteered there as a young person.

“I was able to see the positive impact the teachers there had on their students, all of whom had special needs. Knowing my aunt, and her strengths and challenges, and seeing the way the teachers helped her and other students with special needs inspired me to want to work with special education students and help them in any way I could.”

Threadgill earned his bachelor’s degree from TROY and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Alabama State University. He began teaching at Greenville Middle School in Butler County, and after two years, he became the vice principal at Greenville Middle.

Threadgill says TROY was a great fit for the development of his career because it got him out of his comfort zone and exposed him to professors and students from across the state and country, who brought their own diverse experiences into the university’s dorm and classrooms.

“Because I had family who worked in the school system in my hometown, it was important to me to make a name for myself away from Mobile, starting with my time as a student at TROY,” Threadgill said.  “It was important for me not to be hired because of who I was related to, but on my own merits as an educator.

“I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to graduate from Troy University. My years at TROY were a wonderful time. I was able to get a top-notch education that prepared me for a career as a professional educator, and I got to meet some of the best people around.”

Threadgill previously served as the assistant principal and the principal of Troy, Alabama’s Charles Henderson Middle School, and then as the Assistant Superintendent of Troy City Schools before becoming the Superintendent of Elba City Schools.

He was appointed Superintendent of Mobile County Public Schools in July of 2018.