The Alabama State Department of Education recently honored educators across Alabama with the annual Thank Alabama Teachers Week. Our school and district 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year selection process has ended and I am pleased to recognize these individuals.
The following elementary (K-6th grade) teachers were honored by their respective campuses: Rebecca Williams, Eclectic Elementary; Joanne Wells (5th/6th), Eclectic Middle; Chelsea Chambers, Holtville Elementary; Staci Godwin (5th/6th), Holtville Middle; Kimberly Hurst, Coosada Elementary; Deborah Stringfellow, Airport Road Intermediate; Elizabeth Knight (5th/6th), Millbrook Middle; Ashley Tidwell, Redland Elementary; Katie Hagood (5th/6th), Redland Middle; Tiffany McClaney, Wetumpka Elementary; and Rachel Garner (5th/6th), Wetumpka Middle.
The following secondary (7th-12th grade) teachers were honored by their respective campuses: Jennifer Taylor (7th/8th), Eclectic Middle; Rett Hawk, Elmore County High; Rachel Jones (7th/8th), Holtville Middle; Luke Fussell, Holtville High; Carrie Licina (7th/8th), Millbrook Middle; Johanna Angelo, Stanhope Elmore High; Hailey Bennett (7th/8th), Redland Middle; Brianna Cooper (7th/8th), Wetumpka Middle; Sgt. Danny Hunter, Wetumpka High; Brenda Brown, Elmore County Technical Center; and Nikki Dunseith, The EDGE.
The Elementary Teacher of the Year for the district is Deborah Stringfellow, Airport Road Intermediate, and the Secondary Teacher of the Year is Johanna Angelo, Stanhope Elmore High. Each school’s teacher of the year was selected by their peers and participated in a rigorous application process from which the elementary and secondary teachers of the year were chosen. The elementary and secondary teachers of the year will advance to the state teacher of the year selection process in this month and will serve their terms during the 2024-2025 school year.
In other news, we are continuing to expand and improve our STEM and Robotics programs. Our students’ interest in these areas has grown exponentially since the implementation of Project Lead the Way and robotics activities and competitions. We have partnered with Google through the Google Buddy program which assists teachers and students with the engineering design process. Through robotics and other STEM programs, students are learning essential, 21st century skills to equip them for the future.
Recognizing our remarkable staff is a fantastic way to begin the new year. Elmore County is blessed to have a wonderful, caring staff working with over 11,300 students every day. We consider it a privilege to teach and take care of our students, and we look forward to great things to come in 2024!
Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.
