Here are the 16 finalists for 2018-19 Alabama Teacher of the Year

“Highly-skilled, dedicated, and caring teachers are essential to achieving excellence and in preparing our nation’s next generation of outstanding professionals.”

According to a press release from the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) 16 educators from across the Yellowhammer State have been selected as finalists for Alabama’s 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for exemplifying these qualities and more. The finalists were selected from more than 140 educators who applied for the honor — one of the oldest and most prestigious state award programs for teachers

“Each has accomplished great things with the students they mentor, teach, and inspire daily. They exemplify teaching at its best,” said the ALSDE of the finalists.

Alabama State Department of Education: 2018-2019 District Teachers of the Year

• Nadine Lynch: St. Elmo Elementary School, Mobile County School System (District I Elementary Teacher of the Year)

• Janice D. Kinard: Fairhope Middle School, Baldwin County School System (District I Secondary Teacher of the Year)

• Dr. Brittney Duncan: Wrights Mill Road Elementary School, Auburn City School System(District II Elementary Teacher of the Year)

• Dr. Blake Busbin: Auburn High School, Auburn City School System (District II Secondary Teacher of the Year)

• Carol McLaughlin: Greystone Elementary School, Hoover City School System (District III Elementary Teacher of the Year)

• Lincoln Clark: Berry Middle School, Hoover City School System (District III Secondary Teacher of the Year)

• Meghan Allen: Minor Community School, Jefferson County School System (District IV Elementary Teacher of the Year)

• Lisa Gaines: Homewood Middle School, Homewood City School System (District IV Secondary Teacher of the Year)

• Jennifer J. Parten: Thomasville Elementary School, Thomasville City School System (District V Elementary Teacher of the Year)

• Zestlan Simmons: Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, Montgomery County School System(District V Secondary Teacher of the Year)

• Dr. James Tarlton Wilder, III: Odenville Middle School, St. Clair County School System (District VI Elementary Teacher of the Year)

• Ashley Nicole Holmes: Falkville High School, Morgan County School System (District VI Secondary Teacher of the Year)

• Rachel Pucko: Northport Elementary School, Tuscaloosa County School System (District VII Elementary Teacher of the Year)

• Robin M. Thompson: Florence High School, Florence City School System (District VII Secondary Teacher of the Year)

• Donna Holderfield: John S. Jones Elementary School, Etowah County School System (District VIII Elementary Teacher of the Year)

• Stephenie T. Smith: Buckhorn Middle School, Madison County School System (District VIII Secondary Teacher of the Year)

The pool of finalists will soon be narrowed down to four, and the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 9, at 6 p.m. at the RSA Plaza Terrace in Montgomery, Ala.