Mary Oliver works as instructional partner at Bob Jones High School. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – To Mary Oliver, today is an amazing time to teach, especially in a student-focused school like Bob Jones High School. She works as instructional partner.

Working with administrators, Oliver helps to create and implement ongoing professional development for the faculty. She also helps new teachers establish careers.

“I help teachers research strategies and develop best practices that support their classroom instruction,” Oliver said. “I ‘co-teach’ with teachers and offer strategies to support lessons.”

Oliver works with several district-level committees and the Patriot Support Team that supports students struggling academically.

Always wanting to teach, Oliver is excited “to see a student feel empowered by learning something new. I never really thought I would leave the classroom, but this opportunity presented itself, and I was intrigued by the challenge.”

Oliver finds reasons “to celebrate the learning” at Bob Jones. “We have amazing teachers committed to our students and diligent about their own learning and growth,” she said.

She enjoys camaraderie with principal Robby Parker and assistant principals Sylvia Lambert, Jason Quick, Amy Thaxton and Luther Tiggs. “They’re so supportive of our faculty and students and work tirelessly to create an environment conducive for learning,” Oliver said.

At Jacksonville State University, Oliver earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and education specialist status. She taught at Highview Baptist School in Louisville, Ky., two years; West Side Elementary School in Lafayette, Tenn., one year; and Jacksonville High School, 16 years.

“This is my third year at Bob Jones,” Oliver said.

The Olivers moved to Madison in 2012 when Mary’s husband, Rev. Michael Oliver, became senior pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. Their children are Andrew, a junior at Jacksonville State and member of Alabama National Guard; Jonathan, University of Alabama sophomore; Samuel, a Bob Jones senior; and Thomas, a Discovery eighth-grader.

At Trinity, Mary teaches a Sunday school class, is a deacon and sings with Heart of Praise women’s ensemble and sanctuary choir. She enjoys reading, cooking, crafting, shopping, and watching Alabama football games.