Teaching, while one of the most important roles in the local community, can sometimes be a thankless job. For many teachers, the most gratifying moments are not from words spoken but rather from positive test scores from a once-struggling student or a smile from a student who just learned something new.
However, thanks to the annual Franklin County Partnership Awards Banquet on March 9, two local teachers from Franklin County Schools and Russellville City Schools were honored and recognized for their dedication and commitment to educating students.
This year the winners were Melissa Kiel of Tharptown Elementary and Dr. Stephanie Oliver of Russellville High School.
Kiel – accompanied by her husband Jamie and three children Sarah Kate, Audrey, and Lydia – was the first to receive the award. There were no acceptance speeches, but afterwards Kiel was gracious nonetheless.
“I’m grateful and so appreciative of my colleagues that thought of me as deserving of the award,” she said. “We have a lot of great, hard-working teachers in this county, so just that I was nominated at all was very humbling. I’m thankful for all of the teachers and staff I work with because they make my job so much easier.”
As spectacular of an evening as it ended up being for her, Kiel was unaware that she was even nominated for the honor.
“I had just assumed that we were going because my husband’s business was nominated for an award,” she said. “I had no clue that I had been nominated. Eventually I started putting the pieces together, but it was a total surprise. It made for a great night.”
While Kiel may have been shocked at the prospect of being named Educator of the Year, those that work with her know she was a great selection.
“I was thrilled for her. We were all excited for her,” said Tharptown Elementary principal Ann Scott. “She’s very kind and soft spoken, and she cares for the children. She’s done an excellent job and she’s very knowledgeable of all the curriculum.”
Kiel, who teaches kindergarten, says she has a passion for educating young students. In her 13th year as a teacher, she says her work at the kindergarten level is still very rewarding.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with children, and the Lord gave me a passion for teaching,” she said. “I think (kindergarten) is where I’m most suited. You see so much growth from the beginning of the school year to the end. I think that’s why I enjoy it; there’s just a huge amount of growth.”
Scott says Kiel is not only a fantastic teacher, but she is also willing to go “over and beyond” the call of duty.
“Mrs. Kiel is a leader at our school,” she said. “She’s involved in a number of committees and she’s always working together and collaborating with other teachers. She’s a huge asset to Tharptown.”
For Franklin County’s newest Educator of the Year, the award provided both encouragement and motivation.
“You do have difficult days and sometimes you wear a lot of hats,” Kiel said. “It’s very encouraging to receive an award like this. It makes me want to work harder and to give even more of my effort for these children. I know that I want to set even more goals for myself as a teacher.”
Following Kiel to receive her award for Russellville City Schools was Oliver.
A 1991 graduate of Russellville, Oliver most recently received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She is married to Chad Oliver and has three daughters: Abby, Ally, and Anna Beth.
After starting her teaching career in 2002, Oliver returned to Russellville in 2012 as the healthcare science instructor in the career technical department.
Unlike Kiel, Oliver knew of her nomination, but she was still a little surprised to take home the award.
“Honestly, I didn’t even know a career tech teacher could win an award like that,” she said. “I was very honored to be in the same category as some other great teachers. I was excited and very honored.”
At RHS, Oliver teachers a number of classes including Foundations of Health Science, Introduction to Pharmacy, Nurse Aid Training, Therapeutic Services, and a Medical Terminology duel-credit course. She is also the HOSA club sponsor.
In returning to teach at Russellville, Oliver said her goal was to make a difference in the school and in the community. Through her classes, she believes she is accomplishing that goal.
“All the work I do is for the kids, not for an award. I want the students to have as many opportunities as possible,” she said. “The classes I teach get students college and career ready and prepare them so they’re able to go to work right out of high school.”
The last two years, Oliver reports a 100 percent pass rate in her Certified Nursing Assistant program, and she has already seen a number of her students move on to well-paying jobs in the community after receiving their respective certification or accreditation.
“(Oliver’s) program has been highlighted because of the students she has graduated from her health science courses,” said RHS principal Jason Goodwin. “A number of students go through her CNA program and are ready for the workforce right away. She also has a great internship base where she takes students into the community and prepares them to work. She is a great teacher – one of many here at Russellville High School – but I don’t know what we’d do without her.”
Oliver takes pride in her programs and understands circumstances sometimes hinder students from higher education. Oliver says that should not discourage students from believing they can have a fulfilling career after high school.
“Some students don’t have the resources to go to college. That doesn’t mean they’re not academically smart or have to work for minimum wage,” Oliver said. “Sometimes they aren’t aware of the opportunities. My job is to help them find something for their future so they can be productive. Whatever I have to do, I want to get them certified or help them learn a skill so that they can have a good life in the future. That’s what it’s all about for me.”
