Alabama Teacher of the Year Inspires Future Educators at the College of Education and Professional Studies
Posted on April 1, 2025 by Kerry Cohen
The College of Education and Professional Studies recently welcomed Alabama’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year, Deborah Stringfellow, to speak with 65 senior student teachers. In a room full of South student teachers, the educator from Airport Road Intermediate School in Elmore Countyl shared stories from her teaching journey and offered valuable insights into building lasting connections with students.
Stringfellow highlighted the importance of mentorship and building relationships beyond the classroom. “Leadership matters,” she said “It matters in the classroom. You’re a leader in your classroom. You need to develop students who are leaders.”
She also emphasized the importance of reflecting and evolving as a teacher.
“If you ever end a school year and say, ‘I’ve got it all together and there’s nothing to change or do differently,’ you’ve missed the mark,” Stringfellow said. “Teaching is about continuous reflection and growth.”
After hearing from Stringfellow, the student-teachers transitioned to an education career fair featuring 23 school districts from Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. There, clusters of students gathered around booths, leaning in as potential employers shared insights about job openings and career opportunities.
“We are committed to helping our students grow both personally and professionally by providing opportunities to learn from accomplished educators and connect with potential employers,” said Dr. Angela Barlow, dean of College of Education and Professional Studies. “Supporting our students as they prepare for their careers is one of the goals we work toward each day.”
