Cullman County Schools would like to congratulate the 2024 Elementary Teacher of the Year and the 2024 Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Elementary Teacher of the Year: Kristy Salazar, Librarian, Parkside School
(L to R: Richard Orr/Assistant Superintendent, Kim Lindsey/Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, Dr. Shane Barnette/Superintendent, Kristy Salazar/2024 CCBOE Elementary Teacher of the Year, Caleb Elrod/Parkside Principal, Kim Crumbley/Parkside Counselor, Angie Yarbrough/Director of Federal Programs, Margaret Guthrie/Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, Tonya Cupp/Director of Instructional Programs, Nanette Clark/Parkside RTI Coordinator)
Kristy Salazar is the librarian and Parkside School. She has 21 years of experience, with 19 of those years in the classroom setting. “Mrs. Salazar has been vital to integrating STEM education and includes these lessons in her daily library schedule,” said Caleb Elrod, Parkside Principal. “She is part of the leadership team and strives daily to ensure our students are granted the best opportunities,” said Elrod.
Secondary Teacher of the Year: Lucretia Smith, Math, West Point High School
(L to R Front Row: Tonya Cupp/Director of Instructional Programs, Lucretia Smith/2024 CCBOE Secondary Teacher of the Year. L to R Back Row: Shannon Anderson/West Point High Assistant Principal, Dr. Wesley Black/West Point High Principal, Dr. Shane Barnette/Superintendent, Richard Orr/Assistant Superintendent, Angie Yarbrough/Director of Federal Programs, Margaret Guthrie/Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, Kim Lindsey/Secondary Curriculum Coordinator)
Lucretia Smith teaches mathematics at West Point High School. She coaches the math team and has also taken additional courses in order to teach dual enrollment classes to her students. “Mrs. Smith creates a positive and supportive learning environment in which students feel comfortable taking risks and asking questions,” said Dr. Wesley Black, West Point High School Principal. Mrs. Smith also offers tutoring to her students before and after school. The math team she coaches has been Cullman County Grand Champions every year since 2005 and was crowned State Champions in 2018. She was voted teacher of the year by the student body last year.
Cullman County School Superintendent Dr. Shane Barnette is always excited to celebrate our incredible educators. “I have visited Mrs. Salazar and Mrs. Smith’s classrooms multiple times and they both are exceptional,” said Dr. Barnette. “Not only are they effective instructors but they love and care for their students and the students know that. Both ladies are perfect examples of the quality of individuals we have working for our school system. I wish the committee could have selected 20 teachers of the year because we have so many deserving educators,” said Dr. Barnette.