By Andrew Edwards
Special to the EAN
In the midst a national pandemic, one Stanhope Elmore High School teacher has not only survived the first semester of the school year – she has thrived.
On Jan. 28, Marissa Kane was awarded the Outstanding Secondary Business Educator of the Year award for her contributions to business education. The award was given to her by the Alabama Business Education Association.
“I’m very happy that I was able to win the award. It’s nice to be appreciated, especially this year with COVID and everything going on,” Kane said.
Kane was nominated by her peers for the award in early January, and subsequently wrote and submitted an application to the ABEA for reviewal. Applicants from all over the state put their name in the pool, hoping to be chosen – but only one would be able to win the award.
“I was surprised that I was even nominated, but at the same time I was excited. It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to go for an award such as this,” Kane said.
There certainly wouldn’t have been a shortage of material for her to use, as she has been teaching marketing principles, internet marketing, sports and entertainment marketing, and work-based learning a SEHS for nearly nine years.
“The journey to get here has been a long but rewarding one. I have a great support system here at the high school, and the excellent students and faculty have really helped me to achieve this accolade,” Kane said.
“We are extremely proud of Marissa,” Principal Ewell Fuller said. “This has been a tough last year for all of us in education, as well as the families and students. But this is proof that excellent things are still happening. Our staff has stepped up to the challenges presented. It has been a learning experience for all of us. We Are SE!”
