Krista N. Marcum, a science, Gulf Coast Ecology and Marine Biology teacher at Gulf Shore High School was selected as the 2021-2022 District 1 Secondary Teacher of the Year and finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year in May 2021. The list of 17 finalists has been narrowed down and Marcum is one of the final four.

According to a press release from the State of Alabama department of education, The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program is one of the state’s oldest and most esteemed awards programs. This year’s four finalists have been selected from a group of more than 150 highly skilled educations.

The next step for Marcum is an extensive interview with the state judging committee. The 2021-2022 Alabama Teacher of the Year will be announced later this year. The Teacher of the Year spends the school year serving as an official spokesperson for Alabama education and the teaching profession. Also, they represent Alabama for the National Teacher of the Year Award.

When asked what it meant to be selected as one of the top teachers in the state of Alabama, Marcum said, “Being selected as one of the top teachers in the State of Alabama is a dream come true. Working on the Alabama National Board-Certified Teacher Network (ALNBCT), I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from former Alabama state teachers of the year. When I applied to be a board member with the network, I expressed in my interview that I wanted the opportunity to learn from such skilled educators and improve my practice. I have now worked my way to the position of president of the ALNBCT Network, where I am still learning from experts in the field.”