The Alabama State Department of Education named the state’s sixteen 2025-26 finalists for Teacher of the Year on April 9.
Finalists were chosen from more than 155 teachers across the state, according to a news release.
These “Sweet 16″ educators “made a positive difference in the lives of students, served as teacher leaders in their schools and districts, and demonstrated excellence in teaching and learning.”
The winner spends the year as a full-time ambassador leading workshops for various groups, according to the news release.
The Alabama representative moves on to the National Teacher of the Year competition.
The current teacher of the year, Deborah Stringfellow, teaches fourth grade math at Airport Road Intermediate School near Montgomery.
“I am proud to extend special congratulations to each of these outstanding educators on behalf of our state’s entire education community,” Stringfellow said.
“Each of these nominees is an exceptional education leader and is truly deserving of this honor,” she said.
Finalists are:
District I:
- Angela Kirby – Gulf Shores City Schools – Gulf Shores Middle School, Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Kristen Madsen – Gulf Shores City Schools – Gulf Shores High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year
District II:
- Amy Garrett – Pike County Schools – Center for Advanced Academics and Accelerated Learning, Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Joshua Wine – Auburn City Schools – Auburn Junior High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year
District III:
- Katie Collins – Hoover City Schools – Bluff Park Elementary School, Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Kristin Bundren – Hoover City schools – Spain Park High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year
District IV:
- Katherine A. Thomas, Homewood City Schools – Edgewood Elementary School, Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Aubrey Bennett, Birmingham City Schools – G.W. Carver High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year
District V:
- Lindsey Norris, Montgomery County Schools – Forest Avenue Elementary School, Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Roseann Byrd, Mobile County Schools – Citronelle High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year
District VI:
- Andrea Dade Horn, Blount County Schools – Locust Fork Elementary School, Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Heather Oden Pettit, Arab City Schools – Arab High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year
District VII:
- Deidra Brewer, Muscle Shoals City Schools – Highland Park and Webster Elementary Schools, Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Andrew Lee Mills, Florence City Schools – Florence Middle School, Secondary Teacher of the Year
District VIII:
- Catherine Megan Hockey, Madison City Schools – Rainbow Elementary School, Elementary Teacher of the Year
- Amanda J. Gudmundsson, Athens City Schools – Athens High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year