Alabama’s 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year, Dr. Gay F. Barnes, a first-grade teacher at Horizon Elementary School in the Madison City School System, received a year’s use of a new automobile courtesy of Alfa Insurance Co. and the Alabama Farmers Federation during a ceremony at the Alfa home office in Montgomery May 12.Alfa President Jerry Newby presented Barnes the keys to a 2011 Chevrolet Impala as part of her award for being named the state’s top teacher. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joseph B. Morton made the announcement of Alabama’s Teacher of the Year during an awards ceremony Wednesday evening that honored the final four candidates for the honor.Newby said teachers like Barnes are the key to Alabama’s future.
“As Alabama’s Teacher of the Year, Dr. Barnes will have the opportunity to inspire thousands of teachers, parents and community leaders as an ambassador for education. Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation appreciate the important role she and all teachers play in the lives of our children,” Newby said.
Morton praised Alfa’s contributions to the Teacher of the Year Program.”For years, Alfa Insurance has shared our vision of acknowledging and celebrating the best and brightest in Alabama education,” Morton said. “Alfa’s commitment to supporting the Alabama Teacher of the Year program has been unwavering and, as always, is greatly appreciated. This year, as in years past, Alfa continues to express its support for those who inspire learning, spark imaginations and ultimately mold the minds that will carry Alabama forward.”Barnes said she was born to be a teacher, adding that her “learning seed” was planted by her mother early in her life.
“I still love to learn new things, and I love teaching now as much as I loved teaching my first class over 20 years ago,” she said. “My greatest contributions and accomplishments center on my unwavering commitment to my students who are struggling. I have a passion and a gift for helping these students succeed.”
This is the 15th year Alfa has presented an automobile to the state Teacher of the Year. During the presentation, Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan announced that the insurance for the Teacher of the Year car will be paid for by the Federation.Barnes will spend the majority of the school year serving as the state spokesperson for education, presenting workshops, speaking to various groups and representing education and the teaching profession. By winning Alabama’s Teacher of the Year, she automatically becomes the state’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.