Foley honored local educators and school supporters for their work to improve education in the city and across Baldwin County.
During a recent meeting, the Foley City Council recognized public school educators from the Foley feeder pattern who were selected as Teachers of the Year for their schools. The teachers were also presented with state resolutions signed by Gov. Kay Ivey. The resolutions were sponsored by State Rep. Frances Holk-Jones.
Teachers recognized included Angela Ingraham of Swift School, Brandy Richard of Foley High School, Kaitlyn Martin of Magnolia School, Kerry Becton of Mathis Elementary School, Michelle Dillon of Foley Middle School and Amanda Welsh of Foley Elementary School.
Each school in Baldwin County selects a Teacher of the Year. From those honorees, a panel of judges chooses one elementary and one secondary educator to represent Baldwin County Public Schools.
Members of the Baldwin County Board of Education and the Foley Education Advisory Committee also participated in the recognition ceremony at Foley City Hall.
Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city works closely with educators and the school system to support local schools and student achievement.
The Foley City Council budgets funding annually to support Foley schools through the Foley Education Advisory Committee. The Baldwin County Board of Education matches the city’s contribution.
“This committee works with our school board,” Hellmich said. “Our council helps support the schools to go to the next level. Each school has unique needs that other schools may not have. Our city works with the school board, and they provide part of the funding. This committee reviews the requests that each principal brings to help their school make progress so that these teachers may take advantage of it.”
Hellmich said the support from the city, educators and school leaders has contributed to improved performance throughout Foley schools.
“Because of the efforts of these teachers and our principals in the room and the school board, because it’s all a team effort, our schools in Foley all achieved a B grade for the first time that I can remember,” Hellmich said.
Over the last three years, Foley High School’s state report card score increased from 70 to 80, while Foley Middle School rose from 68 to 81. Mathis Elementary improved from 79 to 83, Foley Elementary increased from 79 to 85, Magnolia School rose from 77 to 83 and Swift School improved from 78 to 82.