Two Hoover teachers named 'Sweet 16' Teacher of Year finalists

Hoover City Schools’ Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year have both been named among the “Sweet 16” Finalists for Alabama Teacher of the Year.

Ellen Anson, the teacher for Rocky Ridge Elementary School’s self-contained multi-handicapped room, has been with Hoover City Schools six years as part of her 39-year teaching career. She holds degrees from the University of West Florida and Alabama A&M University.

Craig Thompson teaches 10th grade AP U.S. History and 9th grade Career Prep: Law. Ten of his 13 years in education have been with Hoover City Schools. Thompson holds degrees from Tulane University and the University of Montevallo. Both Anson and Thompson were named Hoover City Schools Teachers of the Year in December 2013. 

The state’s “Sweet 16” have emerged from a pool of more than 150 outstanding educators from across the state who submitted applications for the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious awards programs for teachers. The field will soon be narrowed down to the “Final Four,” and the 2014-2015 Teacher of Year will be announced at a ceremony hosted by the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education on Wednesday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at the RSA Plaza Terrace.

“Alabama continues to be represented with some of the most outstanding educators in the nation,” State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice said. “Their dedication to education, commitment to learning and compassion are reflected in the accomplishments of their students. We are proud to have teachers of this caliber working in our schools.”

Alabama’s Teacher of the Year spends the majority of the school year serving as a full-time ambassador for education and the teaching profession as well as presenting workshops to various groups. Additionally, Alabama’s representative is a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year.