By Gary Lloyd
MONTGOMERY — Ann Marie Corgill, a fourth-grade teacher at Cherokee Bend Elementary School in the Mountain Brook City School System, is the 2014-2015 Alabama Teacher of the Year.
State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice said Corgill was chosen to serve as the official spokesperson and representative for teachers in Alabama for the next year near the end of a celebration honoring the 12 semi-finalists and four finalists who were nominated for the title.
A National Board Certified teacher, Corgill has been teaching fourth-grade students at Cherokee Bend Elementary since 2012. Prior to that, she taught English for three years at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School and also worked in the New York Public School System.
Ann Marie Corgill
photo courtesy of the Alabama State Department of Education
Corgill automatically becomes Alabama’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year.
“Ann Marie Corgill is a shining example of professionalism and dedication to Alabama’s most valued asset – its children,” Bice said. “She is a role model for current and future teachers to emulate, and we are honored to have her represent our state as the 2014- 2015 Alabama Teacher of the Year.”
Corgill, who received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama, originally set out to design and build homes. She opted instead, however, to create and construct firm foundations for students to stand on as they learn, grow and become successful contributing members of society.
“Day after day, year after year, I realize that my job is not simply about teaching, but reaching students by learning about them, honoring their passions, helping them overcome obstacles, and building foundations so they can achieve their goals, both as learners and people,” Corgill said.
Christopher Payne, an art instructor at Dothan High School, was named the 2014-2015 Alternate State Teacher of the Year.
The selection process for Alabama’s Teacher of the Year begins at the school system level. Each school system can nominate an elementary and secondary teacher at the district level. One elementary teacher and one secondary teacher are selected from each of the eight state board of education districts. A state selection committee selects four teachers from the 16 district finalists to be interviewed for the titles Alabama Teacher of the Year and Alternate State Teacher of the Year.
Hewitt-Trussville High School exceptional education teacher Carrie Jones and Rocky Ridge Elementary School teacher Ellen Anson were the other semifinalists.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
