08/14/09 - Madison County
For 17 years, Carol Ann Alphin
has made a career of impacting the lives of children in
Jackson-Madison County schools. The past eight of those
years have been at Beech Bluff Elementary School, which she and her family are very familiar.
"My parents went to school here
K - 12th grade. My grandparents went here and then I was a
student here K - 9th grades, so it means a lot to teach in
this community," Alphin said.
Along with finding a literal
home in returning to Beech Bluff, Alphin believes she has
found a home teaching third grade. After positive stints
teaching fourth and fifth grades at Andrew Jackson School,
she said third grade is an interesting transition year for
pupils.
"Always something new and of
course, the beginning of the school year is real exciting,"
Alphin said. "They are excited about learning multiplication
and writing in cursive."
She said her motivation to
teach has been reinforced by watching her own two sons grow
and mature in Jackson-Madison County schools and her
relationship with past student. "Seeing my former students
who come up to me and they are so appreciative and just
seeing how they have become successful students," Alphin
said. "That's the most meaningful thing."