Shera Grant
Shera Grant was recently appointed to the Board of Education.
In April, the City Council appointed Shera Grant to the Vestavia Hills Board of Education. Grant, deputy public defender at the Jefferson County Community Law Office, will serve a term of five years, which began with the June Board meeting.
The Vestavia Voice recently caught up with Grant to ask her what led her to apply for the spot and goals for her upcoming term.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am from Birmingham. I graduated from Ramsay High School and from Alabama State University with a bachelor of science degree in Computer Information Systems. Thereafter, I attended Louisiana State University and the Université D’ Aix-Marseille III in Aix-en-Provence, France and received my law degree and bachelor of civil law degree. I have been a practicing attorney for 13 years. I practiced law in Georgia as a prosecutor with the City of Atlanta Solicitor’s Office and DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office.
In Alabama, I have practiced as a private attorney handling a wide range of criminal and civil cases. Currently, I am a deputy public defender with the Community Law Office. My husband, Daryl Grant, and I have two children. Our daughter, Madelyn, is 6 years old and attends Liberty Park Elementary. Our son, Grey, is 2 years old. As a mom, there isn’t much free time. However, when I do have some free time, I love to read and travel.
What led you to apply for the spot on the Board of Education?
I have a passion to serve the community that I live in. I am currently a class member of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum. During our sessions, we discuss servant leadership and what it really means. A servant leader makes sure that other people’ s highest priority needs are being served. I consider education to be a pretty high priority. It is one that I am passionate about. We moved to Vestavia Hills because of the excellent reputation of the school system. Coupled with all of this, I felt led to apply for the position.
What do you hope to accomplish during your five year term?
I hope to work together with all of the board members and superintendent by maintaining the school system’s excellent reputation. In addition, I hope to work together with the board to develop strategies for the positive population growth that the city has seen and how this will impact the school system. I am excited about this growth, and look forward to working with everyone to develop strategies.
What do you think sets the Vestavia Hills School System apart from other systems in the state?
The parental involvement in the school system is remarkable. When parents are involved, school systems are successful and thrive. Also, the school system’s legacy of excellence across various dimensions (academics, athletics and other civic involvement programs) also sets them apart from other school systems in the state. Even as a child, I remember marveling at their math team. The school system here in Vestavia Hills is focused on being excellent in every aspect of an educational experience. I love that.
What is your favorite part about the Vestavia Hills community?
My favorite part is how the community supports one another in both personal and professional endeavors. People go above and beyond to help each other in the community. I have certainly felt the community’s support, and I know many others who feel that way as well. I am thrilled that my children will grow up in such a supportive, family-friendly, and caring community.
