ATHENS, December 10, 2025 – The Athens City Schools Foundation hosted its annual Teacher of the Year Gratitude Banquet in early December, honoring nine exceptional educators from across the Athens City Schools system. The event culminated in the announcement of Rebecca Gladney and Michael May as the 2025 Athens City Schools District Level Teachers of the Year.
District-Level Honorees to Represent Athens City Schools
Rebecca Gladney, an Athens Elementary School teacher, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, while Athens High School teacher Michael May received the Secondary Teacher of the Year award. Both Gladney and May will advance to represent Athens City Schools in the prestigious Alabama Teacher of the Year statewide competition. The winners of the statewide awards are slated to be announced in May 2026 during a special ceremony in Montgomery.
Gratitude Banquet Celebrates Dedicated Educators
The banquet, held at the Alabama Veterans Museum in Athens, treated all ACS Teacher of the Year recipients and their special guests to a Thanksgiving-themed dinner. Honorees were presented with a specially crafted red box containing the ACS Teacher of the Year Golden Apple Award, along with various other gifts provided by the Athens City Schools Foundation.
The nine educators recognized as 2025 Athens City Schools Teachers of the Year include:
- Rebecca Gladney – Athens Elementary School
- Katie Walker – FAME Academy at Brookhill Elementary School
- Rachael Knox – SPARK Academy at Cowart Elementary School
- Katie Deen – Julian Newman Elementary School
- Ashley Boutwell – Athens Intermediate School
- Ben Tucker – Athens Middle School
- Kennedy Leopard – Renaissance Virtual School
- Jenny Johnstone – Athens Renaissance School
- Michael May – Athens High School
Marcia Day Recognized for Decades of Service
In addition to the Teacher of the Year awards, retired Athens City Schools educator Marcia Day received special recognition for her significant contributions. School officials highlighted her “leadership, dedication, and genuine love for ACS, as shown through her service to the Athens City Schools Foundation.”
According to the school system, Day “has served on the Athens City Schools Foundation for decades, from a member to officer to long-time president, guiding with a mission and heart. Her time, talents, and passion have shaped the Foundation in lasting and impactful ways.”
About the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program
The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program is designed to honor and acknowledge excellence within the teaching profession. It identifies outstanding classroom teachers at local, district, and state levels. The selection process for the Athens City Schools Teacher of the Year commences annually at the individual school level.
Further information regarding the Athens City Schools Foundation can be found online at acsf.acs-k12.org.
Source: https://enewscourier.com/2025/12/10/athens-city-schools-foundation-honors-2025-teachers-of-the-year/
