By Gary Lloyd
PINSON — A Pinson Valley High School teacher is a Jefferson County Schools finalist for the Alabama Teacher of the Year award for 2014-2015.
Michael Vise is one of 10 teachers from the Jefferson County Schools district to be nominated.
Vise, who has been at Pinson Valley for five years, teaches AP chemistry, AP biology and advanced chemistry.
“It is a special honor to be recognized as Teacher of the Year because you are nominated by your peers for this honor,” Vise said. “I was selected as Teacher of the Year for Pinson in 2011-12, but this is the first time I have been one of the finalists for Jefferson County. The recognition helps validate the hard work and effort I try to put in for each and every one of my students. Sometimes you miss the results as you focus on the day-to-day tasks that demand your attention. Awards that originate from your peers or students have special meaning and gives me the boost to continue facing the daily challenge of preparing my students for their next step.”
The nine other nominees are Ashley Kizer (Adamsville Elementary), Taylor Ross (Gresham Elementary), Allison Hart (Hueytown Elementary), Lisa Baxter (Lipscomb Elementary), Erika Mason (West Jefferson Elementary), April Mitchell (Bottenfield Middle), Amy Akin (North Jefferson Middle), Pam McClendon (Oak Grove High) and Kimberly Mitchell (Shades Valley).
Each of Alabama’s 133 school districts conducts its own competition, and from the 10 finalists one secondary winner and one elementary winner are chosen. District winners move on to a congressional competition statewide. In late April or early May, a Teacher of the Year for the state of Alabama is named.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.