Alabama Teacher of the Year Finalists Announced

Everyone has had a teacher that changed their life, mine was Ms. Saunders, but I called her "Mama-Ders" or "dude". She was kind, genuine and 6'3. Teachers do more than explaining what a hypotenuse or giving us a quadratic equation formula. They teach us morals, honesty and how to be a loving person.

Alabama has now chosen the finalist for the 'Teacher of the Year' here in the Yellowhammer State.

Here is a quick rundown of those finalist:

District I

• Michelle Wade - Saraland Early Education Center, Saraland City Schools
• David Dai - Alma Bryant High School, Mobile County Schools

District II

• Kathryn Knorr - Ogletree Elementary School, Auburn City Schools
• Jessica Bowlin - Auburn High School, Auburn City Schools

District III

• Meredith Mitchell - Redland Elementary School, Elmore County Schools
• Michael Sinott - Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia Hills City Schools

District IV

• Paul David Kelsey - Pleasant Grove Elementary School, Jefferson County Schools
• Rebecca Blumenfeld - George Washington Carver High School, Birmingham City Schools

District V

• Sontessia L. Youngblood - Banks School, Pike County Schools
• Hannah Hamm Bradford - Pike Road High School, Pike Road City Schools

District VI

• Andrew Fletcher Jackson - Eden Elementary School, Pell City Schools
• Niki L. Bowling - Arab High School, Arab City Schools

District VII

• Chelsea Byrd - Maddox Intermediate School, Jasper City Schools
• Alana White - Pinson Valley High School, Jefferson County Schools

District VIII

• Tonia Wilburn - Plainview School, DeKalb County Schools
• Angela M. Jackson Pettus - Athens High School, Athens City Schools

Out of those finalist, four will be chosen to be in the finals.

I don't know and of these teachers personally or at all but, I really want Ms. Youngblood to win because teaching with that name has to be a tough thing to do.