ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT) — The list of 16 finalists was narrowed down to four Wednesday for the Alabama Teacher of the Year.
Among the four finalists for Alabama Teacher of the Year, Athens High School’s Amanda Gudmundsson is listed.
“This honor reflects not just my journey, but the strength of the incredible people around me. Great teaching is never done alone—it’s the product of shared passion, relentless support, and a community committed to lifting each other higher every day,” said Gudmundsson.
According to the State of Alabama Department of Education news release, Gudmundsson is a “dedicated educator” at Athens High School. In addition to her high school duties as a government, history and economics teacher, she teaches dual enrollment U.S. History courses at Calhoun Community College.
Athens City Schools said she was selected by her peers as the Athens High School Teacher of the Year in September 2024 and honored as the district’s Secondary Teacher of the Year in November 2024. She now stands as one of the “top educators in the entire state,” according to the district.
“Her accomplishments don’t stop there—she was also recently named the 2025–2026 Alabama VFW High School Teacher of the Year for her outstanding work promoting citizenship and patriotism in the classroom,” Athens City Schools said.
She has more than 20 years in education, with 17 of those in Athens. “Mrs. G. represents the heart, passion, and excellence that define Athens City Schools. She believes that teaching goes beyond the subject matter; it involves building meaningful relationships and changing lives,” ACS said.
As a fifth-generation educator, her path to the classroom was unexpected. Initially, she pursued a degree in higher education administration, but her career shifted following the tragic events of 9/11. She witnessed everything first-hand because at that time she was living right outside of New York City.
Experiencing the outpouring of selflessness and unity in the aftermath of the attacks, she was inspired to become a teacher. Through teaching, Amanda found a way to contribute to democracy and uphold the values of equality and civic responsibility. In her classroom, she encourages her students to embrace each other’s differences, foster academic curiosity, and actively engage in shaping a better future for themselves and their families.
State of Alabama Department of Education
The other finalists for the award are Katie Collins – Hoover City School System, Dr. Katherine Thomas – Homewood City School System and Aubrey Bennett – Birmingham City School System.
The next step for the four finalists is an extensive interview with the state judging committee. The 2025-2026 Alabama Teacher of the Year award will be announced on May 7 during a special event at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
For more information about the Alabama Teacher of the Year program, you can visit the Alabama State Department of Education’s website here.
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