Vestavia Hills teacher selected as Alabama Teacher of the Year
Vestavia Hills High School teacher Jennifer Brown has been named Alabama’s 2015-2016 Teacher of the Year.
Another area teacher, Minnette Wiggins of Trace Crossings Elementary School in Hoover, came in second place among the four finalists, being named 2015-16 Alternate Teacher of the Year.
Brown, who has been at Vestavia Hills High for 13 years and is in her 16th year of teaching, was overwhelmed when selected for the honor.
“I’m so humbled. Wow, what an honor,” she said when Alabama State Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice called out her name as the state’s top teacher.
“With all of the amazing educators in our state and I think about all the amazing educators in this room, just to be here is a dream.”
Brown received the award during a ceremony tonight, May 13, at the RSA Plaza Terrace in Montgomery. Her journey began when she won Vestavia Hills Teacher of the Year, then was selected State District 3 Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Sheila Phillips, superintendent of Vestavia Hills City Schools said Brown is a perfect choice as Alabama’s teacher of the year.
“There is not a more deserving person," Phillips said. “Not only does Jennifer inspire her students, her passion for education also inspires her colleagues.”
Finalists emerged from more than 130 educators across the state who submitted applications for the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program. Applicants submitted packets outlining education history, professional biographies, community involvement and philosophies of teaching.
Alabama’s Teacher of the Year spends the majority of the school year serving as a full-time ambassador for education and the teaching profession as well as presenting workshops to various groups. Additionally, Alabama’s representative is a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year.
In March, Brown, who teaches physical science, was announced as Vestavia City Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Montevallo.
In an interview before the awards, Brown said she never imagined even winning Vestavia Hills teacher of the year. So she was even more shocked when she won District 3 teacher of the year, making the top 16 statewide, then advanced to be a top four finalist.
Brown said she teaches not for awards or recognition, but to make a positive difference in the lives of children. She got into the teaching profession by accident. She played basketball in high school and envisioned playing the sport professionally one day.
After playing basketball at a junior college, Brown was asked to help teach students the sport and gained a love of teaching. Brown will spend the next 12 months as “the face” for teachers in Alabama, in addition to competing for the national teacher of the year award.
Brown said she looks forward to helping spread the word about the importance of teaching as a profession.
“We are the shapers of future generations, we’re relationship builders,” Brown said. “Every kid needs a champion who will push them to be better.”
Here is a link to previous coverage on Brown in the Vestavia Voice:
http://vestaviavoice.com/schools/vhhs-jennifer-brown-announced-as-a-sweet-16-finalist123/