By Kaitlin Candelaria
Vestavia Hills High School teacher Jennifer Brown has been chosen Alabama Teacher of the Year.
Brown, who teaches applied physical science and guided study, has taught at Vestavia High School for 13 years. She was Vestavia Hills’ Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2014.
“It is no surprise to me at all the committee determined (Brown) as the best candidate for Teacher of the Year,” said Sheila Phillips, Vestavia Hills City Schools superintendent. “In the time that I have known Jennifer, her passion for teaching and learning and her students in particular is what we recognize in her the most. What’s great about her is not just her inspiration to students but her ability to inspire her colleagues. It takes a special individual to be able to do that.”
Brown graduated from Pleasant Grove High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in comprehensive science education at UAB. She went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Montevallo in instructional leadership.
In addition to teaching, she sponsors the school’s Ultimate Frisbee Club.
Brown was one of 130 teachers considered for the title. The 130 were eventually whittled down to four candidates: two in the elementary school division, including Minette Wiggins of Trace Crossings Elementary School, and two in the secondary division.
Brown was announced as the overall winner at a ceremony in Montgomery May 13. Wiggins received second place.
Phillips said this is the first time Vestavia City Schools has had a teacher win the title.
“When people ask what makes Vestavia Hills different from other school systems, it’s teachers like Jennifer Brown,” Phillips said. “She is the best reflection of us. Teachers like her make us who we are.”
Brown calls her teaching style student-centered and said she encourages students to do activities that cause them to move around and interact with one another. She also works to customize each student’s experience according to what motivates them, she said.
“The students come into my classroom and they love it, because they get to come in and experience science and not just learn about it,” Brown said. “I want to step away and be a facilitator of learning, and I want the students to be in charge of their learning. That’s how I would describe my classroom.”
As Teacher of the Year, Brown will be a state spokesperson for education and the teaching profession.
She has been awarded a 2015 Chevy Traverse from Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation to use while traveling across the state to speak.
She is now in the running for National Teacher of the Year.
“I want to empower other teachers,” Brown said. “To be able to share my love of learning with other teachers and hopefully other students is really exciting.” ϖ
