BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Edith Horace Atkinson has been selected by her peers at Bay Minette Intermediate School to serve as 2016 Teacher of the Year.

Atkinson, a local native and U.S. Army veteran, earned a Master of Arts in elementary education from the University of Mobile. She has three children, Deidra, Devin and DeAndre.

Atkinson’s favorite past times include reading and writing. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and engaged in quality time with her friends and family. Her professional career began in 2005, since that time she has served on many committees in addition to serving in diverse leadership roles:

• 2008–2015: Founder and co-chair of Chapter 171 National Elementary Honor Society (Baldwin County’s first chapter).

• 2008–2015: Co-chair of Student Council.

• 2010: Member of second graduating class of eMINTS Teachers.

• 2014-2015: Member of Superintendent’s Advisory Committee.

• 2015: Member of Aspiring Instructional Leadership Team.

• 2014-2015: Grade chair.

• 2014–2016: Cooperating teacher for education majors.

• 2014–2016: Lead teacher.

With a smile, Atkinson said, “Creating bulletin boards; challenging the students; and spending extra hours to ensure students enjoy and gain a better understanding is not what I would classify as ‘work.’”

One of her favorite quotes captures the passion and dedication Atkinson purposely strives to bring to the educational arena: “The future is not some place we are going to, it is one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, they are to be made. The activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination,” John H. Schaar.

In addition to a firm belief in the importance of obtaining educational success, Atkinson’s family history of educators impacted her own desire to become an educator.

“Setting up bulletin boards, spending extra hours to arrive at ‘a stopping point’ and interacting with the students to make the lessons interesting and relevant, is not ‘work’ to me,” she says with a smile. “I grew up watching my mother, aunts, and cousin meeting the challenges of teaching. I believe teaching is one of my niches in life and I must admit that I truly enjoy my job.

“I wish to impact society in a positive manner while inspiring others to work towards their greatness.”

Atkinson is looking forward to witnessing students grow as she also continues to grow professionally. She to be remembered as the person who: happily gave 120 percent and learned something daily while inspiring others to work toward and achieve their greatness.