Two Oak Mountain area teachers among Shelby County teachers of the year
Teachers and administrators from across the Shelby County School system gathered at Oak Mountain High School Monday, Dec. 4, to celebrate the 2017-18 teachers of the year.
“Thank you does not do enough, but that is one way we can start, is by a simple, genuine thank you for what you teachers do and bring to our kids’ lives every day,” said Shelby County Education Foundation Director Kendall Williams, who hosted this year’s teacher of the year celebration. “… It is an honor for me and for our foundation to honor you here tonight.”
The celebration was a time to recognize all of the school-wide teachers of the year as well as surprise the overall teacher of the year with an award. After all teachers of the year — divided by elementary, middle and high schools — were announced, they stood together to watch a video announcing the system-wide teacher of the year.
The videos interviewed colleagues and students about the teacher of the year, acknowledging their achievements and best qualities as educators.
This year’s Shelby County Schools teachers of the year were Krysten Gunn, a fourth grade math teacher at Calera Intermediate; SK Hutchings, an eighth grade English language arts teacher at Oak Mountain Middle; and Michael Zauchin, the choral director at Oak Mountain High School.
Hutchings has taught for 11 years, with all 11 years spent teaching in Shelby County.
“I feel strongly that teaching is a service-oriented activity, and I am firmly committed to my community by striving for excellence in my field. It is not a job, it is a vocation, and one I feel irresistibly called to do,” Hutchings said in a statement that Williams read during the program.
During the video recognizing Hutchings, OMMS principal Larry Haynes said Hutchings is a teacher who prepares her students for high school, as well as someone who is able to connect with all of her students. A student in the video said Hutchings “just lets you be yourself,” and makes English enjoyable for all of her students.
Zauchin has taught for six years, with four in Shelby County, and is involved in Oak Mountain High School’s show choir and spring musical, the Performing Arts Center Committee, is on the Alabama State Board of choral directors as the contemporary music chair and is a member of the National Association of Music Educators.
In the video for Zauchin, those interviewed commented on the widespread impact Zauchin has had on the school. Students noted his hard work and passion for his craft, with one saying, “He is the most deserving person of this award.”
“'Z’ is for ‘zactly what Oak Mountain needed,” said a fellow OMHS teacher in the video.
The following teachers were recognized:
Elementary school teacher of the year
Laura M. Kaylor, Calera Elementary
Krysten Gunn, Calera Intermediate
Cassandra Elmore, Chelsea Park Elementary
Emily Vansant, Elvin Hill Elementary
Jennifer Williams, Forest Oaks Elementary
Wendy Woods, Helena Elementary
Natalie Landrum, Helena Intermediate
Jennifer Nix, Inverness Elementary
Dora T. Newell, Montevallo Elementary
Landra Edwards, Mt Laurel Elementary
Cammie Eanes, Oak Mountain Elementary
Melissa L. Johnson, Oak Mountain Intermediate
Chanda Jennings, Shelby Elementary
Elyse Bristow, Vincent Elementary
Brooke Brewer, Wilsonville Elementary
Middle school teacher of the year
Mark Windham, Calera Middle
Coach Lee Hibbs, Chelsea Middle
Patsy Casella, Columbiana Middle
Bobby R. Cummings, Helena Middle
Crystal Dreyer, Linda Nolen Learning Center
Carolyn K. Nelson, Montevallo Middle
SK Hutchings, Oak Mountain Middle
High school teacher of the year
Leigh Anne Brown, Calera High
Shannon Goodwin, Chelsea High
Tiffany D. Crumpton, Helena High
Maury Grayson, Montevallo High
Geoffrey Wymer, New Direction
Michael Zauchin, Oak Mountain High
Robert Irwin, Career Technical Education Center
Michelle Branson, Shelby County High
Brooke Gifford, Vincent High