For the children

Ann Marie Corgill sees value in learning that can’t be measured.

As the school year came to a close last month, her fourth-grade students at Cherokee Bend Elementary wrote reflection letters about what they had learned in her classroom. 

“It’s eye opening to read them,” she said. “I can see their growth, and I can see evidence of their skills being enhanced.”

Corgill, who was named the 2014-2015 Alabama Teacher of the Year in May, hopes to see standardized testing become deemphasized and multiple means of student growth incorporated in classrooms, among other ideas she hopes to spread as the spokesperson for the state in the next year.

“If we are listening and talking with [students], we can learn a whole lot about children,” she said. “I’d like to see more than just tests be a way to track students. I want the public to see there are multiple ways to celebrate success, not always in a test score.”

In her new role, the 20-year veteran teacher will serve as the official representative for teachers in Alabama for the next year. Additionally, as Alabama’s representative, she will be a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year Award.

Inspired by her work with students, she is passionate about helping teachers integrate academic curriculum with what she calls “social emotional learning.”

“It’s important that students learn how to be effective communicators and collaborators, how to convey an idea and to problem solve,” she said. “Often we are so focused on academic curriculum that we leave that out.”

To this end, her students practice working in small groups, answering open-ended questions and solving problems together. She has realized how important it is to teach children about conversation, how to make eye contact and what body language looks like. 

In her new role, Corgill also said she hopes to clearly communicate information on college and career readiness standards.

“I think there is a lot of misinterpretation and misinformation,” she said. “My hope is to communicate effectively what these standards mean and how they have lifted the level of the work that will happen across Alabama. I want to dispel some of the myths and let people see what’s going on inside classrooms.”

Corgill, who received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Alabama, has been teaching at Cherokee Bend Elementary since 2012. Prior to that, she taught English for three years at Hewitt-Trussville Middle School and also worked in the New York Public School System.

Outside of the classroom, Corgill uses her talents to serve the community through organizations such as Alabama Girls State and by mentoring education majors at Birmingham-Southern College. She is also a member of the National Council of Teachers of English and currently holds a position on the Council’s Elementary Section Steering Committee.

Cherokee Bend Elementary Principal Betsy Bell said Corgill’s efforts to develop and cultivate a nourishing environment for young learners “is far beyond anything that I have ever seen in my 34 years of being an educator.”

“Ann Marie is a passionate, dynamic and one-of-a-kind educator,” Bell said. “She always keeps her focus on the child and what their absolute needs are — not only as learners, but as unique individuals.”

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Thomas Bice also spoke Corgill’s praise when he announced her new role as state Teacher of the Year.

“Ann Marie Corgill is a shining example of professionalism and dedication to Alabama’s most valued asset — its children,” he said. “She is a role model for current and future teachers to emulate, and we are honored to have her represent our state as the 2014-2015 Alabama Teacher of the Year.”

Even as she travels around the state speaking in the coming year, Corgill has emphasized that it’s important for her to stay with children in the classroom, where she says she is at her best.

“I want people to know that my heart is for children,” she said. “This award isn’t about me, it’s more about a way to be an ambassador for children. I want to recognize these kids, be their voice and help make positive change in our state.”