The Alabama State Department of Education recently honored educators across Alabama with the annual Thank Alabama Teachers Week. Children’s author Michael Murpurgo said, “It’s the teacher that makes the difference, not the classroom.” I couldn’t agree more, and I am grateful for all our teachers!
Our school and district 2026-27 Teacher of the Year selection process has ended and I am pleased to recognize these individuals. The following elementary teachers were honored by their respective campuses: Janene Davis, Eclectic Elementary; Amy Rachel (5th/6th), Eclectic Middle; Kerri Shaffer, Holtville Elementary; Megan Rogers (5th/6th), Holtville Middle; Kimberly Howard, Coosada Elementary; Michelle Harris, Airport Road Intermediate; Denisha Streeter (5th/6th), Millbrook Middle; Kacie Baggett, Redland Elementary; Heidi Love (5th/6th), Redland Middle; Natasha Baker, Wetumpka Elementary; and Holly Hallman (5th/6th), Wetumpka Middle.
The following secondary teachers were honored by their respective campuses: Jerrill Fuller (7th/8th), Eclectic Middle; Kimberly Moncrief, Elmore County High; Samantha Wood (7th/8th), Holtville Middle; Travis Hickman, Holtville High; Kailea Floyd (7th/8th), Millbrook Middle; Kashundra Davis, Stanhope Elmore High; Amanda Killough (7th/8th), Redland Middle; Diana Frazier (7th/8th), Wetumpka Middle; Adriane Duvall, Wetumpka High; Emily Ryan, Elmore County Technical Center; Priscilla Hadden, The EDGE; and Shon Boling, ECAP.
The Elementary Teacher of the Year for the district is Kimberly Howard, Coosada Elementary School, and the Secondary Teacher of the Year is Diana Frazier, Wetumpka Middle School. 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 2026-2027 school year.
In other news, we are now partnering with Auburn University to enhance our computer science interest through the Elmore Young Explorers (EYE) project. Teachers receive ongoing training to be able to introduce robotics, work with devices, and provide activities to connect robotics to content standards. The goal of this project is to give 6th grade students the opportunity to learn computer science with hands-on activities. Through robotics and other STEM programs, students are learning essential 21st century skills to equip them for the future.
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 2026!
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.
