Teacher of The Year
Teacher of The Year
The Teacher of the Year Banquet is an annual celebration recognizing 45 outstanding educators representing 44 Baldwin County Public Schools, along with newly certified National Board Certified Teachers and the district’s Elementary and Secondary Counselors of the Year.
Each school selects its Teacher of the Year through a nomination and selection process led by faculty. A committee of teachers, administrators, and prior honorees then selects the district’s two Teachers of the Year—one elementary and one secondary. These honorees are announced during the banquet and advance to compete at the district, regional, and state levels.
The event also recognizes educators who have recently earned National Board Certification, one of the most respected professional certifications available in K-12 education, as well as the district’s Elementary and Secondary Counselors of the Year.
Typically held each spring in March, the banquet is made possible through the generous support of the Coalition’s annual investors. Please join us in celebrating the educators who make a lasting impact on students across Baldwin County.
Congratulations to the 2026 Teachers of the Year!
 |  |
Congratulations to Elizabeth Von Hofe of Spanish Fort Elementary, our Elementary Teacher of the Year.Elizabeth Eubanks Von Hofe is a second-career educator and the daughter of two lifelong educators from Limestone County, Alabama. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in business and church vocations from Martin Methodist College and later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama. Elizabeth earned a master’s degree in collaborative education and became National Board Certified in her third year of teaching. She currently serves as a self-contained classroom teacher at Spanish Fort Elementary School, where she also serves as an IEP chair and Project Outreach chapter sponsor. | Congratulations to Emily Hudson of Spanish Fort High School, our Secondary Teacher of the Year.Years before having a classroom of her own or being recognized with school or national honors, Emily Hudson’s love for teaching began with a passion for language and connection. While she always loved the Spanish language, her path to the classroom was not a straight line. It was shaped by mission trips to Mexico and immersive study experiences in Spain, where she discovered that the true power of language lies in the connections it creates and the sense of family that can be found beyond one’s native culture. Throughout her career, Emily has taught at Vestavia Hills High School, Mount Carmel Academy and Spanish Fort High School, teaching Spanish I through Spanish IV to hundreds of students. Today, Emily serves as the world language department chair at Spanish Fort High School. Her professional purpose remains rooted in connection and community. Whether leading students in the classroom, coaching athletes or collaborating with colleagues, her goal is the same — to show students that language is a bridge. For Emily, teaching provides the opportunity to give students the keys to a wider and more connected world. |