Heidi Clemons feels ‘out of this world’ as Midtown’s Teacher of the Year

MADISON – When Heidi Clemons hears a student say, “That was so fun, Senora Clemons!,” she knows all her planning for that lesson paid off. She is “Teacher of the Year” at Midtown Elementary School.

Clemons also feels positivity when hearing a student say, “Spanish is my favorite Specials class,” and when parents share that their child used a Spanish phrase at home.

Initially, Clemons was in “complete shock” about her honor. “To be nominated as Teacher of the Year is an amazing honor. It’s extra special as a ‘Specials teacher’ in such a large school with so many talented teachers,” Clemons said.

“But to actually win Teacher of the Year? Out of this world,” Clemons said. “I’m so grateful for supportive administrators, teachers and staff who support me and the Spanish program.”

In 2002-2004, Clemons taught at San Juan Capistrano Christian School in California. After moving to Alabama, she worked for 12 years in Huntsville City Schools – first at Providence Elementary School.

A friend mentioned that Madison City Schools offered elementary Spanish, and a position was open. Clemons wanted to leave the general education classroom yet continue to work with elementary students. “I applied, and I got the job! I was so excited to begin a new adventure,” Clemons said.

Since 2017, she has taught elementary Spanish in MCS – first at Columbia, West Madison and Madison elementary schools for grades K-3.

“The next year, fourth grade was added to the program. I split my time between Horizon and West Madison,” Clemons said. Fifth-graders joined the study; she divided time between West Madison and Madison Elementary. The past four years, she has taught at Midtown.

“At Midtown, I try to build a community that values global citizenship and cross-cultural understanding, through exposure to the Spanish language and the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries,” Clemons said. “I enjoy opening their eyes to the world around them but also the world beyond.”

For students who speak a different language at home, Clemons asks them if they want to count or list colors in their native language – as they do for Spanish in class. “Seeing pride on their faces and knowing that their native language is being shared makes me happy,” Clemons said.

Outside of classes at Midtown, Clemons and two teachers created a student Safety Patrol. The teachers assign this safety “job” to a few fourth- and fifth-graders who can handle the task. “They assist carline students to get into their cars during afternoon dis- missal,” Clemons said. “Students really seem to enjoy the responsibility.”

At Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Calif., Clemons earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with an emphasis in Spanish. She received a teaching certificate for Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development or CLAD from California State University in San Marcos.

Her husband Chris and she were married in 1998. Chris works as a Contract Specialist for the Department of the Army.

Their sons are Brody, 21, currently deployed with the United States Navy, and Logan, 17, a prospective senior at Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering in Huntsville.

Few people know that Heidi played piano for 11 years while growing up. She performed as a cheerleader from middle school through freshman year of college.

“I’m a decent cook but absolutely DO NOT enjoy cooking,” she said. “I prefer to leave that to my husband. He’s an amazing cook.”