BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
The Elmore County Commission welcomed Deborah Stringfellow to the Monday meeting, in recognition of her being named the Alabama Teacher of the Year.
Each year the Alabama State Board of Education selects one teacher from more than 40,000 in the state to be named the Alabama Teacher of the Year.
Stringfellow is a fourth-grade teacher at Airport Road Intermediate School in Millbrook and has been in education for over 40 years.
With her selection, Stringfellow will now serve as the state’s ambassador for public education and the teaching profession over the coming year. She believes education is a life-long journey, not a destination and stated, “Education is a refuge. It’s a sanctuary. It’s a place that you can come and feel valued and loved every day.”
During the coming year, Stringfellow will travel throughout the state, but she has a great vehicle in which to make that travel happen. She will have a Chevrolet Travers provided by Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Federation.
Stringfellow addressed the Commission, saying since the announcement her life has been very interesting and exciting.
“Thank you for taking the time today to acknowledge the Alabama Teacher of the Year program, and all of the remarkable teachers in the state of Alabama,” she said. “Next year will be my 40th year in public education. I did a small stint in private at the beginning.”
Stringfellow said she is a first-generation high school and college graduate. She has taught regular education, special education, and gifted education at the elementary and middle school level during her long career.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education and her Master’s in Science in special education from Troy University.
“In 2001 while teaching first grade in Daleville, Alabama, my alma mater, I became the first in my school district to complete National Board Certification. In 2011 while teaching seventh grade Life Science, I renewed my National Board Certification.”
After completing her EDS in Educational Administration and Leadership, she served as an elementary school assistant principal for four years.
“It did not take me long to realize that my heart was in the classroom and that is where I wanted to spend my time. So, I made my way back to the classroom and my love of teaching and work directly impacted students on a day-to-day basis.”
She said that for the past six years, she has been able to renew her passion by teaching closer to home near her granddaughter and teaching has been the most rewarding profession possible.
“I am thrilled today to have the opportunity to spotlight the amazing job that teachers in Elmore County are doing, because they do it on a daily basis to support our students. And my school, Airport Road Intermediate, a hidden little jewel down at airport runway, is a blessing to the students and this community. We provide a strong educational foundation. In addition to the academic subjects, our students get to explore numerous clubs and after school activities.”
Stringfellow is the sponsor of the Science Club. She said that this year, the school embarked on teaming up with the Civil Air Patrol. “I am a Civil Air Patrol certified member,” she said. “Our students were able to join this auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. The military is very important since I am a United States Army brat. All our students at Airport Road this year were provided with the opportunity to complete activities from the Aerospace Connections and Education Program and achieve their certification. All 64 of my students achieved this recognition.”
Stringfellow said that the students completed several lessons that supported cross curricular aerospace themes and STEM initiative. “And programs like this are definitely preparing our students for the future. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘The future belongs to those that believe in their dreams.’ And the future of our great state is in the hands of the children that I teach, and the other teachers of this great state teach.”
Stringfellow told commission members that she supports and appreciates them.
“I know each of you work hard to support the families of Elmore County. I believe the secret to success is continually discovering and sharing the wonder of learning. Teaching has allowed me, firsthand, to see the effects of love and nurturing and what they do in a student’s life on a daily basis. So, as the 2024-25 Alabama Teacher of the Year, I will continue to serve, mentor and advocate for students and teachers inside and outside of the classroom. Thank you for this great honor.”
The Commission members had high praise for Stringfellow and presented her with a Resolution in her honor.
Commissioner Desirae Jackson told Stringfellow it is evident how long she has been a teacher. “You worked the entire room Mrs. Stringfellow. You made eye contact with everybody in here to make sure everyone was engaged. Congratulations.”
Commissioner Dennis Hill echoed that, saying, “I was sitting here thinking the same thing. What you have done is not just a reflection on yourself but our whole school system here in Elmore County. I appreciate the hard work you have put in to get to where you are at this point. Thank you for what you do.”
Commissioner Henry Hines said, “It is outstanding to have Elmore County be recognized again. We love it when people move this way and they move because of education, a lot of them do. Our Board of Education, as you know, works in every area. They make sure that kids are ready, if they go to college. We have one of the best trade schools in the state. We just cover every area that we need to make sure our students are successful. It is teachers like you being able to work a room like you just did. It is fantastic and I am sure you control your students the same way. I look forward to watching you represent Elmore County this coming year. With half of my family being in education, I know how many hours they put in that you put in, not just at school but at home preparing.”
