Latest news with #SecondaryTeacheroftheYear
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Birmingham's Aubrey Bennett named finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A teacher at Carver High School in Birmingham is one of several finalists for Alabama Teacher of the Year. Aubrey Bennett, who has taught U.S. government, economics and AP African-American History for the past 11 years, is among a handful of teachers across the state who is up for the annual honor. 'We are thrilled to have Mr. Bennett in Birmingham City Schools,' BCS Superintendent Mark Sullivan said in a statement. 'He is a dedicated and compassionate educator who always puts his students first.' In addition to his work as a teacher, Bennett also serves as a Student Government Association sponsor and is the school's attendance liaison, where he works to cut down on truancy in the school. Bennett, who was named BCS' Secondary Teacher of the Year last year, has been a teacher for 17 years. If he wins, Bennett will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year contest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Athens High School teacher named final four for Alabama Teacher of the Year
ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — The list of 16 finalists was narrowed down to four Wednesday for the Alabama Teacher of the Year. Among the four finalists for Alabama Teacher of the Year, Athens High School's Amanda Gudmundsson is listed. 'This honor reflects not just my journey, but the strength of the incredible people around me. Great teaching is never done alone—it's the product of shared passion, relentless support, and a community committed to lifting each other higher every day,' said Gudmundsson. According to the State of Alabama Department of Education news release, Gudmundsson is a 'dedicated educator' at Athens High School. In addition to her high school duties as a government, history and economics teacher, she teaches dual enrollment U.S. History courses at Calhoun Community College. Athens City Schools said she was selected by her peers as the Athens High School Teacher of the Year in September 2024 and honored as the district's Secondary Teacher of the Year in November 2024. She now stands as one of the 'top educators in the entire state,' according to the district. 'Her accomplishments don't stop there—she was also recently named the 2025–2026 Alabama VFW High School Teacher of the Year for her outstanding work promoting citizenship and patriotism in the classroom,' Athens City Schools said. She has more than 20 years in education, with 17 of those in Athens. 'Mrs. G. represents the heart, passion, and excellence that define Athens City Schools. She believes that teaching goes beyond the subject matter; it involves building meaningful relationships and changing lives,' ACS said. As a fifth-generation educator, her path to the classroom was unexpected. Initially, she pursued a degree in higher education administration, but her career shifted following the tragic events of 9/11. She witnessed everything first-hand because at that time she was living right outside of New York City. Experiencing the outpouring of selflessness and unity in the aftermath of the attacks, she was inspired to become a teacher. Through teaching, Amanda found a way to contribute to democracy and uphold the values of equality and civic responsibility. In her classroom, she encourages her students to embrace each other's differences, foster academic curiosity, and actively engage in shaping a better future for themselves and their families. State of Alabama Department of Education The other finalists for the award are Katie Collins – Hoover City School System, Dr. Katherine Thomas – Homewood City School System and Aubrey Bennett – Birmingham City School System. The next step for the four finalists is an extensive interview with the state judging committee. The 2025-2026 Alabama Teacher of the Year award will be announced on May 7 during a special event at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. For more information about the Alabama Teacher of the Year program, you can visit the Alabama State Department of Education's website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woodland Elementary and Harrison High teachers selected as TSC Teachers of the Year
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Tippecanoe School Corp. has named Lisa Merryman as the TSC Elementary Teacher of the Year and Kristen Trella as the TSC Secondary Teacher of the Year. Merryman, a kindergarten teacher at Woodland Elementary School, has garnered over 28 years of experience in education after earning her bachelor's degree from Purdue University. In a news release, Woodland Elementary Principal Lee Sweet said Merryman's commitment to student success shines in everything she does. 'Her unwavering dedication to students, creative teaching methods and passion for inspiring a love of learning are just a few reasons she deserves this honor,' Sweet said in the release. 'Her peers would say she is knowledgeable, kind and always ready to help. She fosters an environment of collaboration, invites input and shares her expertise generously.' Merryman extends learning beyond the classroom through meaningful connections with the community, the release said. Partnering with the McCutcheon High School FACS department, Merryman coordinates shared activities around topics like apples, pumpkins and pizza making. Trella, an English teacher at Harrison High School, has garnered over 25 years of teaching experience after earning her bachelor's degree from Indiana University Northwest and a master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Harrison Principal Cory Marshall said in the release Trella has the ability to meet students where they are, helping struggling learners grasp important concepts while also challenging high-achieving students to reach new levels. 'Ms. Trella's classroom is one of constant activities,' Marshall said in the release. 'Her students clearly realize that her classroom is a place of learning and work, but also that enjoyment and fun can come from such activities.' Beyond the classroom, Trella serves as a travel club sponsor and coach for the girls swimming and diving team, the release said. Earning the NCC Coach of the year award several times, Trella emphasizes character development and community involvement, the release said, by organizing service projects that support the American Red Cross and a local animal shelter. Merryman and Trella will move forward out of a pool of 19 nominees to represent TSC in the Indiana 2026 Teacherof the Year program. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: TSC selects Woodland, Harrison teachers as 2026 Teachers of the Year
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Sixth grade science educator named Somerset County's Teacher or the Year. Meet her here.
Kristen Bratcher, sixth grade science teacher at Somerset Intermediate School, was named Somerset County's 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year. Bratcher was selected as the school system's Secondary Teacher of the Year finalist. Runner-up, Allison Grove, fifth grade reading & language arts teacher at Carter G. Woodson Elementary School was named 2025-2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year. Winners were announced at the Somerset Teacher of the Year Banquet hosted at University of Maryland Eastern Shore's Henson Center Ballroom on April 11, 2025. Bratcher received her Master's Degree in English from Salisbury University in 2022 and a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University in 2019. She is passionate about fostering curiosity and dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment for all students, according to a release from Somerset County Public Schools. Bratcher served on the selection committee for the current middle school science curriculum, and she continues to offer resources and collaboration to support its implementation. As a member of the Parent/Family Engagement Committee, she contributes to strengthening the relationship between the school, students and their families. Bratcher will go on to compete as Somerset County's candidate for 2026 Maryland Teacher of the Year in the fall. OC becomes not spot for music festivals: How Ocean City was transformed into music festival hotbed: A behind the scenes look Grand march at Pocomoke High School: Pocomoke High School students go all out for 2025 prom grand march: PHOTOS This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Sixth grade science educator named Somerset County's Teacher of Year.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Corpus Christi ISD Teacher of the Year winners share love for students, public education
The district-wide Teacher of the Year winners for Corpus Christi ISD have been chosen. Thursday evening, the district recognized the top teachers of the 2024-25 school year for elementary and secondary schools. They were chosen by a committee of district faculty and staff members. Amalia "Dolores" Barragan, who teaches fourth grade at Creekside Elementary School, was named the Elementary Teacher of the Year. Barragan has been a teacher for 18 years. She believes education can transform lives, Superintendent Roland Hernandez said Thursday. "Teaching is more than a profession," Barragan said. "It's a calling, a passion and a privilege." Teachers do not succeed alone, she said. Students are the heart of the work. "Every lesson, every breakthrough and every small victory belongs to them," Barragan said. Pedro Benavidez, who teaches chemistry at Ray High School, was named Secondary Teacher of the Year. Benavidez strives to instill resilience, adaptability and the importance of lifelong learning in his students, Hernandez said. Benavidez said he encourages everyone to remain curious throughout their lives. He has worked at Ray High School for 18 years and believes strongly in public education, he said. Both Barragan and Benavidez will now be considered for the Regional Teacher of the Year honors, competing with teachers from across the Coastal Bend. The winner of the regional competition is then eligible to be named Texas Teacher of the Year. In addition to the elementary and secondary district winners, the district also honored finalists Barnes Elementary School third grade teacher Alexandra Romero, Metro Elementary School second grade teacher Whitney Copeland, Driscoll Middle School eighth grade U.S. History teacher Selina Garcia and Student Support Center middle school math teacher Casandra Jackson. The Caller-Times previously reported on the full list of nominees from each Corpus Christi ISD school. After more than a year of disputes, Corpus Christi Library Board accepts new policy With a federal pause on grants, Port of Corpus Christi's zero-emission goals lie in wait Photos from the aftermath of wildfires in Sinton This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi ISD announces Teacher of the Year winners
