Alabama Teachers of the Year visit Harlan's Amanda Green

FLORENCE, Ala. — Florence City Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year Amanda Green received a special surprise when Alabama's Teachers of the Year visited Harlan Elementary on Friday. The visit is part of a statewide tour in which the previous year's state winners surprise the current year's "Sweet 16" district winners.

2025 Alabama Secondary Teacher of the Year Aubrey Bennett said the tour serves as a chance to congratulate and celebrate the new district winners for their accomplishments and to offer words of encouragement.

"We gave them a little goodie bag to hype them up and get them ready for the big ceremony May 13," Bennett said.

Bennett added that meeting the teachers where they are is beneficial.

"You get to see them in their own environments," he said. "I think that's the beauty of education; every school is different, every classroom is different, every counselor's office is different, every librarian—so you're getting to see people in their own unique environment and what makes them so special."

2025 Alabama Elementary Teacher of the Year Katie Collins said she and Bennett hit the road early Friday morning, and started the tour in The Shoals before heading east.

"We have been to Sheffield Junior High, and then here, and what I've seen just with two school visits is a lot of heart and soul, dedication and passion, and a desire to make impact—significant impact," Collins said. "I'm just grateful to celebrate Mrs. Green. What she is doing here at Harlan Elementary is something that is so important and, honestly, going in her room today just reminded me that the foundational wellness of students is so important, and it's pivotal in the ability to learn."

Collins added that she and Bennett are looking forward to Green's leadership and hearing more of her voice across the state.

By Jeremy Jackson