Administration & Staff

Dr. Martin’s passion for educational excellence has taken him from the classroom and school administration to recognition for his leadership over a span of 16 years of guiding three school systems in Alabama and Georgia. He was part of the Alabama State Department of Education Superintendents Academy through the University of Alabama from 2003-04, and in 2017, he received the Georgia School Superintendents Association President’s Award. Dr. Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in music education and Ed.D in educational leadership from Auburn University, and a Master of Science degree in educational administration from Troy State University.

Mrs. Bailey brings more than two decades of experience in education and leadership to ASHS. Prior to joining ASHS, she served for five years as an Education Administrator for Career & Technical Education (CTE) Workforce Development at the Alabama State Department of Education, where she oversaw more than 500 programs across Health Science, Education & Training, Hospitality & Tourism, and Human Services. She also served as the state director for Alabama HOSA—Future Health Professionals, helping students build pathways into healthcare careers. She spent 17 years as a secondary teacher and administrator. Mrs. Bailey holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Montevallo and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Auburn University. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at the Birmingham School of Law.

In nearly two decades as a teacher and administrator in rural and urban settings in Alabama and Mississippi, Dr. Cooper has become a leader in Career & Technology Education, building dual enrollment programs, and forging partnerships between schools and business and industry, as well as developing student character education and student- and stakeholder-engagement. Most recently he was director of curriculum and instruction for the Vestavia Hills City School System since 2019, and an adjunct professor of education at Samford University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a Master of Science in K-12 guidance education from Alcorn State University and an educational specialist degree and doctorate in education from Walden University in Minneapolis.

Hailing from Demopolis, Ms. Speegle is an enrollment and data specialist who comes to ASHS from her position as assistant director of enrollment management at Marion Military Institute, northeast of Demopolis. She has been involved in off- and on-campus recruiting at MMI, including coordination and events management with schools, institutions and families. Ms. Speegle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Jacksonville State University with a concentration in public relations, and in 2024 earned a master’s degree in management from Faulkner University.

For the previous 11 years before joining ASHS as its first CSFO, Ms. Brasher worked as an accountant for the highly ranked Auburn City Schools — supported by a nearly $150 million annual budget — honing her expertise in local school finance, capital projects, bid law, purchasing programs and fixed assets. With nearly 10,000 students on 14 campuses, the Auburn system ranks in the top 1 percent in Alabama in size. She earned a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from Auburn University and holds certificates in local school finance administration and purchasing/procurement from the Alabama Association of Business Professionals.

Rooted in the heart of Demopolis, Cierra Steen brings over two decades of diverse professional experience and a deep commitment to community-focused service. Her career began in rural healthcare, where she spent 11 years.  Driven by a desire to expand her knowledge, she transitioned into the financial sector, spending 8 years in banking with a specialization in loans—helping individuals and businesses. Recently earning her degree in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources, Cierra is passionate about empowering teams, fostering inclusive workplaces, and driving organizational growth.