Journey Middle agrees on Chelsea Young as ‘Teacher of the Year’
MADISON – When Chelsea Young moved to Madison in 2016, Madison City Schools held “a reputation for academic excellence and for one of the best districts in the state.” Her goal, naturally, “was to join that system’s amazing educators.”
Young is “Teacher of the Year” at Journey Middle School. She works as Library Media Specialist.
“I started substituting, hoping to get my foot in the door, and got to know some of the staff and schools personally,” Young said. “I saw teachers who cared about the whole child; children that were happy to come to school; and extracurriculars that encouraged students to experience new things.”
“That’s when I really became passionate about working with the MCS district . . . when I saw that the academic reputation was just the tip of the iceberg,” Young said.
Receiving the top-teacher honor, Young was extremely surprised, considering the caliber of Journey’s staff. “The selection shows me that my dedication to both my position and school are recognized; that’s all I can ask for,” she said.
Her career started in 2014 at Saint James School in Montgomery as a fourth-grade teacher. She worked as a substitute teacher in Athens and Madison in 2017-2018. Next, Young taught fifth-graders at Horizon Elementary School until transferring to Journey in 2023 as Library Media Specialist.
Reflecting on her successes, Young feels most accomplishments were a joint effort with co-workers. Examples are grants from Madison Street Festival for digital book formats and Journey PTA for a picture- book collection.
However, her most satisfying success is the library’s “safe, inclusive, sought-after hang-out spot for all students.” Before school, up to 100 students socialize, read or play with Makerspace materials. During lunch, students line up out the door to spend the last 10 minutes with friends. After school, about 30 students and teachers attend a weekly “Silent Book Club.”
Young has had a ‘good day’ when she collaborates with other teachers. She reaches out with lesson extensions and resource support. “The library, and my role, should be one that helps teachers extend what they’re already doing,” she said.
The Hazel Green native earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in library media from the University of West Alabama, along with a Class B, Teaching Certificate.
Her husband, Eric Young, is a mechanical engineer with Northrop Grumman.
“I love trying new things; I’ve been skydiving before! My favorite hobbies are drinking coffee, reading and yoga,” she said.
