Alabama’s 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year, Suzanne B. Culbreth, a math teacher at Spain Park High School in Hoover, 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 10.Alfa President and CEO Jerry Newby, who also serves as president of the Alabama Farmers Federation, presented Culbreth the keys to a 2012 Chevrolet Impala as part of her award for being named the state’s top teacher.State Superintendent of Education Dr. Thomas R. Bice made the announcement of Alabama’s Teacher of the Year during an awards ceremony Wednesday evening that honored the final four candidates.Newby said teachers are the key to Alabama’s future.
“As Alabama’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Culbreth will have the opportunity to inspire thousands of teachers, parents and community leaders as an ambassador for education,” Newby said. “Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation appreciate the important role she and all teachers play in the lives of our children.”Bice praised Alfa’s support of the Teacher of the Year Program.
“Alfa’s contribution of the use of a car for a year is a tremendous gift to our Teacher of the Year as she travels our state promoting public education,” Bice said. “Alfa is a big supporter of education in our state, not only for the Teacher of the Year program but for many other endeavors. I know that we can always count on Alfa.”
Culbreth said she is excited about traveling the state promoting education for the next 12 months.“I can’t explain how much the use of this new car will mean to me in the coming year,” Culbreth said. “I’m just overwhelmed to have been selected for this honor. We have so many wonderful teachers throughout Alabama who are making such a difference in the lives of our students every day.”Culbreth has taught at Spain Park since 2008 and at Oak Mountain High School from 2002-2008. She said she considers her greatest contributions to be as a supporter and encourager of fellow and future teachers.This is the 16th year Alfa has presented an automobile to the state’s 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.Culbreth 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.