WHEREAS, the Alabama State Board of Education seeks to recognize and encourage excellence in education, both in teaching and learning; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program is a means of identifying and rewarding some of the state’s outstanding teachers each year; and

WHEREAS, well-trained, dedicated, caring, enthusiastic, and innovative teachers are among the ingredients essential to achieving excellence in preparing Alabama’s children and youth to become capable adults; and

WHEREAS, the following honorees in the 2012-2013 Alabama Teacher of the Year Program exhibit these qualities and more:

District I Elementary Teacher of the Year – Barbara E. Peek
Andalusia Elementary School, Andalusia City School System

District I Secondary Teacher of the Year – Herbert A. Wagner
Theodore High School, Mobile County School System

District II Elementary Teacher of the Year – Brian Wynn
Ogletree Elementary School, Auburn City School System

District II Secondary Teacher of the Year – Kim Beaty
Hope Academy, Eufaula City School System

District III Elementary Teacher of the Year – Amanda Fox
Greystone Elementary School, Hoover City School System

District III Secondary Teacher of the Year – Suzanne Culbreth
Spain Park High School, Hoover City School System

District IV Elementary Teacher of the Year – Julie D. Ramsay
Fultondale Elementary School, Jefferson County School System

District IV Secondary Teacher of the Year – Marvin A. Carter II
Fairfield High School, Fairfield City School System

District V Elementary Teacher of the Year – Meghan Everette
George Hall Elementary School, Mobile County School System

District V Secondary Teacher of the Year – Quebe M. Bradford
Jefferson Davis High School, Mobile County School System

District VI Elementary Teacher of the Year – Rebekah D. Palys
Arab Primary, Arab City School System

District VI Secondary Teacher of the Year – Andrew R. Jones
Sand Rock High School, Cherokee County School System

District VII Elementary Teacher of the Year – Dr. Joy Harbin
McBride Elementary School, Muscle Shoals City School System

District VII Secondary Teacher of the Year – Dr. Eric M. Kirkman
Sheffield High School, Sheffield City School System

District VIII Elementary Teacher of the Year – Elisabeth Johnson
Academy for Science and Foreign Language, Huntsville City School System

District VIII Secondary Teacher of the Year – Karen M. Clem
Athens High School, Athens City School System

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Alabama State Board of Education commends these teachers and expresses its gratitude to each of them for the commitment, sacrifice, dedication, and service to the children and youth of Alabama that have earned them the distinction of District Teachers of the Year.

Done this 10th day of May 2012