51²è¹Ý Alum Named Alabama Secondary Teacher of the Year
Posted on May 19, 2022
After completing his undergraduate degree, William Edmonds had exactly zero thoughts about teaching. His focus was business, and he quickly found a job in banking â but it didnât last, and he left the industry.
âIt was not a difficult decision to leave banking,â Edmonds said. âI worked with great people at the bank, but it just was not for me.â
He then entered education, teaching primarily at the high school level. He eventually received his masterâs in education from the 51²è¹Ý.
Edmonds spent 20 years teaching French at Davidson High School in Mobile before leaving for Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies last year. This month he was named Alabamaâs Secondary Teacher of the Year and came in second for overall Teacher of the Year.
âBeing named Alabamaâs Alternate Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year must be the highest honor I have ever received,â Edmonds said. âThere are so many deserving teachers across our state who work hard to make sure students are achieving.â
Itâs hard to imagine a more dedicated educator than Edmonds. In addition to his time at Davidson and Barton Academy, he is a National Board Certified teacher who has also taught French across the state through the Alabama State Department of Educationâs ACCESS Virtual Learning program as well as at the 51²è¹Ý and the University of Mobile.
He has served as an International Baccalaureate Examiner, grading IB exams, and as president of the Alliance Française de Mobile.
He has a passion for the French language and culture and has participated in intensive language immersion and study in Belgium and France.
âWhile I love teaching the French language to my students, itâs the culture and customs that really makes students eyes light up,â Edmonds explained. âI always say that if I can get a student hooked on the culture, theyâll want to learn the language.â
With all his experience as a teacher, Edmonds still believes heâs also the student.
âEven after 24 years in the classroom, I am still learning and continue to be challenged to a be a better educator,â he said. âThere is still more to learn!â
