Education Coalition and Baldwin County Public Schools Celebrate Teachers of the Year
The Baldwin County Education Coalition proudly hosted the 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year Banquet, bringing together educators, district leadership, elected officials, and community partners for an evening dedicated to honoring excellence in education. Held at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, the event celebrated the outstanding individuals who make a lasting impact in classrooms across Baldwin County.
“The Teacher of the Year Banquet is one of the most meaningful nights of the year for our organization,” said Terry Burkle, Executive Director of the Baldwin County Education Coalition. “It’s an opportunity to recognize the dedication, passion, and professionalism of educators who go above and beyond for their students. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and grateful for the role they play in shaping the future of Baldwin County.”
The evening featured a welcome from Superintendent Eddie Tyler, presentation of colors by the Robertsdale High School JROTC, and entertainment by Foley High School’s The Noise. Guests also celebrated the recognition of National Board Certified Teachers, honored the Elementary and Secondary Counselors of the Year, recognized 45 school-level Teachers of the Year, and announced the District Teachers of the Year.
Baldwin County Public Schools Recognize National Board Certified Teachers
Baldwin County Public Schools proudly recognized educators who achieved National Board Certification, one of the highest distinctions in the teaching profession. This voluntary, advanced credential recognizes accomplished teaching practices and requires educators to complete a rigorous process, including extensive portfolio submissions and a comprehensive assessment.
Jeremy King, Education Technology Support Services, and Katie Nettles, Consulting Teacher, were on hand to present pins and honor these outstanding educators for their dedication to professional excellence and student success.
Juliet Faulkner, Fairhope High
Christina Henson, Foley Middle
David Huggins, Robertsdale High
Lisa Kiser, Elberta Elementary
Angela Lee, Delta Elementary
Karyn Pierce, J. Larry Newton
LaShanda Richardson, Daphne Middle
Terri Smith, Foley High
Shay Stewart, Daphne High
Lisa Tidwell, Foley Elementary
Sarah Holley Bates (Renewed), Delta Elementary
Alicia Morrison (Renewed), Foley Elementary
Announcing the Elementary and Secondary Counselors of the Year
Baldwin County Public Schools proudly recognized this year’s Counselors of the Year for their outstanding commitment to supporting students and strengthening school communities.
Shannon Rubio, Robertsdale Elementary, was named Elementary Counselor of the Year, and Amber Eurgil, Spanish Fort High, was named Secondary Counselor of the Year.
Sherry Rainbolt, BCBE Prevention and Support Supervisor, presented the awards during the evening’s program. We congratulate these exceptional counselors and thank them for the meaningful impact they make in the lives of students across Baldwin County.
Announcing the Baldwin County Public Schools' Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year
Baldwin County Public Schools proudly recognized this year’s District Teachers of the Year, selected from an outstanding group of educators representing each school across the district.
Elizabeth Von Hofe, Spanish Fort Elementary School, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Emily Hudson, Spanish Fort High School, was named Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Each school in the district selects a Teacher of the Year, and from those honorees, a panel of judges chooses one elementary and one secondary educator to represent Baldwin County Public Schools. Both winners will advance for consideration in the Alabama Teacher of the Year program.
Elizabeth Von Hofe, Spanish Fort Elementary School, Baldwin County 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.
Before entering the classroom, Elizabeth spent more than a decade working in health care administration in Tennessee as a licensed nursing home administrator. During that time, she was selected to train new supervisors across south-central Tennessee and north Alabama. She later served as a hospice administrator overseeing a seven-county region in west Tennessee.
Elizabeth eventually stepped away from health care to focus on family, church leadership and volunteer service before accepting a preschool teaching position. At the time, she was parenting a child with Type 1 diabetes and a younger son with developmental delays. Those experiences shaped her passion for special education and advocacy for students with diverse needs. In preschool, she taught a variety of learners and became committed to ensuring every child has equal access to education and meaningful peer interaction.
After relocating to south Alabama for her husband’s job, Elizabeth began working as a substitute teacher. Although she initially planned to return to health care administration once her youngest child entered kindergarten, the COVID-19 pandemic changed that plan. In her forties, she chose to fully pursue a career in education.
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.
Emily Hudson, Spanish Fort High School, Baldwin County 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.
After being inspired by educators in Alabama and spending time tutoring, coaching and student-substituting, Emily realized that her love for the subject itself had become secondary to the joy of sharing it with others. With the encouragement of her professors at the University of South Alabama, she pursued her master’s degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and began her career in the classroom.
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.
