Horizon’s Barnes Teacher of the Year nominee
Pictured above, Gay Barnes, a first-grade teacher at Horizon Elementary said is excited to be nominted.
Gay Barnes, a first-grade teacher at Horizon Elementary School has been nominated as Alabama’s 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year.
Barnes was selected as one of the “Sweet 16” teachers after over 132 school systems submitted elementary and secondary candidates for the position.
“It’s very flattering,” Barnes said. “It’s a tiny bit uncomfortable because I work with so many amazing faculty members and for them to single me out for doing something teachers I work with do every day is a nice compliment. I have so much respect for teachers and people I work with, it’s a little daunting.”
Barnes has taught at Horizon for six years and has been in education since 1987.
Horizon Principal Rodney Richardson broke the news to the school over the morning announcements Tuesday, March 29. Richardson said the school is “very proud” of Barnes’ nomination.
“Dr. Barnes is one of the greatest teachers on our staff,” Richardson said. “She’s always delightful and very knowledgeable of her contact area. I’m very proud to have her as one of my teachers on the Horizon staff. She works well with children and she definitely has a gift for teaching.”
Barnes said she’s always been drawn to teaching, especially younger students.
“I’ve done it my entire life,” she said.
And after 23 years as a teacher, Barnes’ passion for education is still going strong.
“I have never lost my love for being in school. It’s really hard to put into words, but it’s the most amazing thing in the world to work with a group of children. To watch students learn new things and watch how they grow socially and academically and how they bond is amazing.”
Alabama’s Teacher of the Year spends the majority of the school year serving as the spokesperson for education and the teaching profession as well as presenting workshops to various groups. Additionally, Alabama’s representative is a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year.
The Teacher of Year will be named at “Stars in Education,” a live broadcast show, hosted by the Alabama Department of Education and Alabama Public Television on May 11.
