Opelika Teacher Wins State Honor

Article from the Opelika-Auburn News
Thursday, May 12, 2005

Opelika Middle School math teacher Equvia Rhodes was selected as the 2005-2006 Alabama Secondary Teacher of the Year and Alternate Teacher of the Year during a reception Wednesday night in Montgomery.

“We are extremely proud of Equvia,” said Opelika City Schools Superintendent Dr. Phil Raley.

Rhodes’ win Wednesday is the second consecutive time a secondary teacher from the  area has placed as one of the top educators in the state. Cynda Fickert, an Auburn Junior High School mathematics teacher, was named the 2004 Alabama Teacher of the Year.

Margaret Petty of Rainbow Elementary School in Madison County was named the 2005-2006 Alabama Teacher of the Year by the Department of Education at Wednesday’s reception. Petty will serve an as an ambassador for teachers and Alabama public education in the next year, and now goes on to compete in the National Teacher of the Year program whose 2006-2007 winner will be announce in April 2006.
“It’s a big honor for Opelika Middle School and Opelika Schools,” said Kenneth Burton, principal of the middle school. “It just makes me feel good to have a teacher dedicated to educating children.”

Burton said he knew when the contestant’s qualifications were reviewed before the announcement that Rhodes would be the alternate.

“There was just a lot of excitement,” Burton said.
Rhodes and Petty were two of four finalists - two elementary school teachers and two secondary school teachers - chosen by a state committee consisting of representatives from the board of education, the department of education, education-related organizations, the business community, Fickert and the alternate teacher of the year, according to a news release from the Alabama Department of Education.

The other two 2005 finalists were elementary school teachers Shirley Farrell of Clay Elementary School in Jefferson County and Judy Reeves of Baldwin County High School in Baldwin County, according to the release.

The four were chosen from 16 district teachers of the year - an elementary-school teacher and secondary-school teacher from each of the eight board of education districts in the state.
Rhodes was also the 2005-2006 Teacher of the Year for the middle school and the Teacher of the Year for Opelika City Schools.

In an interview early this week, Rhodes said the teachers were evaluated on their teaching philosophies and their contributions to education. The candidate discussed the topics in essays and interviews.

In an interview Sunday, Rhodes said she believes all children can learn in their own way and at their own pace, and it’s the responsibility of teachers to recognize it.

Raley, who had a chance to review Rhodes’ essays, believes her genuine care for all students set her apart.

“I think Equvia is a true teacher,” Raley said. “She doesn’t just teach the bright kids; she teaches all kids.”

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