Krista N. Marcum, a science, Gulf Coast Ecology and Marine Biology teacher at Gulf Shore High School has been selected as the 2021-2022 District 1 Secondary Teacher of the Year. She is also one of 16 finalists for the 2021 -2022 Alabama Teacher of the Year.
Marcum obtained her bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University, master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan, and she achieved National Board Certification in 2017.
The Gulf Coast Ecology class is a unique class to Gulf Shores High School. Marcum was approached by Principal Cindy Veazey about starting a new environmental class that gets the students out into the environment to learn science. Assistant Superintendent Stephanie Harrison mentioned the unique program in the reference letter she wrote for Marcum.
“By actively seeking community partnerships, Marcum has provided her students with access to both research-based and citizen-level scientists who bring the textbook to life and who expose students to real-world problems as well as the hunt for potential solutions. Marcum has partnered with Auburn University, Little Lagoon Preservation Society, Walter Marine, Gulf State Park and more. Each of these relationships is an opportunity for students to vividly connect what they are learning to their own futures including possible careers and the health of our environment,” she wrote.
When asked what it meant to be selected as one of the top 16 teachers in the state of Alabama, Marcum said, “Being selected as one of the top 16 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.”
The pool of 16 educators will soon be narrowed to the final top four. The 2021-2022 Alabama Teacher of the Year will be officially announced by the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education in August.
Alabama’s teacher of the year spends much of the school year serving as a full-time ambassador for education and the teaching profession, as well as presenting workshops to various groups. Alabama’s representative is a candidate for National Teacher of the Year.
Reflecting on his experiences as the most recent finalist, and Alabama’s current Teacher of the Year, Dr. Andrew Jackson said, “Congratulations to these highly skilled educators, who have been selected to represent their local school systems and our regional education districts. Each of these Alabama Teacher of the Year finalists truly demonstrate outstanding classroom leadership and are elevating our profession to new levels of success.”
Alabama State department of education - 2021-2022 District Teachers of the Year
Julie Matranga Neidhardt
Mobile County School System - Hutchens Elementary School
District I Elementary Teacher of the Year
Krista N. Marcum
Gulf Shores City School System - Gulf Shores High School
District I Secondary Teacher of the Year
Sherlita Gilchrist
Phenix City School System – Phenix City Virtual Learning Academy
District II Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kimberly Johnson
Auburn City School System – Auburn Junior High School
District II Secondary Teacher of the Year
Allison C. Phelps
Homewood City School System – Shades Cahaba Elementary School
District III Elementary Teacher of the Year
Pamela McClendon
Hoover City School System – Riverchase Career Connection Center
District III Secondary Teacher of the Year
Mashell Wehn
Arab City School System – Arab High School
District VI Secondary Teacher of the Year
Rachel Graves
Florence City School System – Weeden Elementary School
District VII Elementary Teacher of the Year
Jeff Schrupp
Trussville City School System – Hewitt-Trussville High School
District VII Secondary Teacher of the Year
Candilyn Renee Holt
Limestone County School System – Elkmont School
District VIII Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kierstan Bell
Huntsville City School System – Hampton Cove Middle School
District VIII Secondary Teacher of the Year
Sabrina Wright
Birmingham City School System – Sun Valley Elementary School
District IV Elementary Teacher of the Year
Leah Hughes
Tuscaloosa County School System – Hillcrest High School
District IV Secondary Teacher of the Year
Catherine B. Jackson
Pike County School System – Banks School
District V Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lilian U. Zekeri
Macon County School System – Tuskegee Institute Middle School
District V Secondary Teacher of the Year
Megan Kreitlein
Pell City School System – Eden Elementary School
District VI Elementary Teacher of the Year