Zebedee Talley Jr., Superintendent of Martinsville City Schools, was awarded a plaque on behalf of the AVID Center Executive Leadership Team for his leadership and contributions to students and the community.
Talley currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) representing 135 Virginia school districts. In addition, Talley also currently serves as vice-chairman of Region 6 Superintendents.
Talley joined the Martinsville City Public Schools in 1978. He was hired by the late Martinsville Vice-Mayor Clyde Williams. He is a 1974 graduate of George Washington High School in Danville, Virginia. Talley holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Social Science from Elon University with significant course work in Religion. He is a charter member and Past President of Alpha Chi and a member of Pi Gamma Mu. Talley was a Summa Cum Laude Graduate and co-founder of the Elon College Gospel Choir. He received his Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from Radford University in 1994 and was named Student of the Year. In 2009, he graduated from Virginia Tech University with a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership.
Talley served as a history teacher, gifted teacher, and U.S. Government teacher at Martinsville High School for 15 years. In addition, he coached track, cross country, basketball, and founded the Martinsville High School Gospel Choir. Talley later served as Vice-Principal at Martinsville High School and Martinsville Middle School. He also served as Co-Principal at Martinsville Middle School. Later, he served as principal of Patrick Henry Elementary School.
Talley was the recipient of The Teacher of the Year Award at Martinsville High School in 1990, the NAACP Clyde Williams Award, and several Piedmont District Coach of the Year Awards. He was the recipient of the Samuel S. Trott Educational Award presented by the NAACP in 2017. He was named Omega Citizen of the year in 2017.
Dr. Talley serves as a member of the United Way Executive Board, University of Virginia Superintendents’ Advisory Committee and Planning Committee, AASA National Superintendents Association, Virginia Association of School Superintendents, Piedmont Arts Advisory Board, the Martinsville-Henry County United Way, and the AVID National Superintendents Executive Board.
In addition, he pastored the United Holiness Worship Center Church in Pelham, North Carolina, for the past 36 years. He has served in the ministry for more than 45 years. All of his 43-year teaching experience has been with Martinsville City Public Schools. He is married to Patricia, and they have three children, Zeb III, Chris, Ashley, and nine grandchildren.
