BY: Kory Hobbs
On April 8, 2019, the Alabama State Department of Education announced the 16 finalists for Alabama’s Teacher of the Year Award. The 16 finalists come from a pool of over 140 official applications that were submitted this year by hard-working teachers across the state.
The award is one of the state’s most prestigious and, according to the ALSDE websites records, dates to 1952. However, no information for that year’s winner is available. The first year with information available is 1954, with Lera Blocker taking home the honors.
The winner of the award will represent Alabama in a similar national competition and have a very active role working as an “ambassador for education” according to the ALSDE. Zestlan Simmons, Alabama’s current Teacher of the Year, said in a statement on the ALSDE website, “Congratulations to these 16 innovative educators, who have been selected to represent our local districts and school regions. These wonderful teachers are elevating our profession to new levels. They are working hard every day to ensure all students are prepared for success.”
The state committee of judges will choose the winner based on various factors that go into the development of a student. These factors will have a wide range, from innovation in the classroom to how well they are able to connect with their students. The winner will be an example to teachers throughout the state and show the profession in a positive light.
The winner of the 2019-2020 Alabama Teacher of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. The announcement will take place at the RSA Plaza Terrace in Montgomery and be presented during a special ceremony hosted by the Alabama Department of Education and Alabama State Board of Education.
Alabama Teacher of the Year Finalists:
J. Scott Parks, Saraland Elementary School, Saraland City School System, District I Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kathy Hughes, Spanish Fort High School, Baldwin County School System, District I Secondary Teacher of the Year
Laura G. Traylor, Joseph W. Lisenby Primary School, Ozark City School System, District II Elementary Teacher of the Year
Jacque Middleton, Auburn High School, Auburn City School System, District II Secondary Teacher of the Year
Vickey Glover Bailey, Chelsea Park Elementary School, Shelby County School System, District III Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kimberly Lee Mitchell, Talladega Career Technical Center, Talladega City School System, District III Secondary Teacher of the Year
Abby Becker, Hall-Kent Elementary School, Homewood City School System, District IV Elementary Teacher of the Year
Stephanie Huffman, McAdory High School, Jefferson County School System, District IV Secondary Teacher of the Year
Catherine Anne Kenny, Pike Road Middle School, Pike Road City School System, District V Elementary Teacher of the Year
Mashika Tempero-Culliver, Selma High School, Selma City School System, District V Secondary Teacher of the Year
Leslie Hughes, Walter M. Kennedy School, Pell City School System, District VI Elementary Teacher of the Year
Valerie Curtis, Pell City High School, Pell City School System, District VI Secondary Teacher of the Year
Ana Carolina Behel, Weeden Elementary School, Florence City School System, District VII Elementary Teacher of the Year
Pamela Sims Pugh, Mountain Brook Junior High School, Mountain Brook City School System, District VII Secondary Teacher of the Year
Jennifer Perkinson, Goldsmith-Schiffman Elementary School, Huntsville City School System, District VIII Elementary Teacher of the Year
Leah McRae, James Clemens High School, Madison City School System, District VIII Secondary Teacher of the Year
