Jeffrey L. Norris, an educator at Oak Mountain Middle School in Shelby County, was announced Wednesday night as Alabama Teacher of the Year by the state Board of Education in Montgomery.

As the 2023-2024 Alabama Teacher of the Year, Norris will serve as the state’s “official ambassador for public education and the teaching profession,” the BOE said in a news release. He is also eligible for National Teacher of the Year.

“My beliefs about teaching center on three words environment, engagement, and empowerment,” Norris said in a statement. “I ensure that my students are connected to the world around them. When I plan lessons, I keep engagement at the forefront and will go to extreme lengths to engage and gain the attention of our students.

Norris began his teaching career as an educator for third- and fifth-grade students and as a special education teacher in the Shelby County School System.

He was also an administrator, serving as an administrative assistant, assistant principal, and school principal.

“During my career, I have attended professional development workshops, completed research, and presented state and local workshops on positive classroom transformations,” Norris continued. “A physical change of the classroom environment can set the tone for learning and immediately grabs students’ attention and focus. It provides a cohesive theme, which ties standards to learning and classroom activities.”

Norris was among 16 finalists for the honor before being announced as the winner Wednesday night at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

Some of Norris’ students said he was deserving of the award.

“This was the best class! My friends, classmates, and Mr. Norris were more like my family, and this was the first class where I could open up and truly talk without overthinking,” said Saisha, according to the BOE.

Another pupil, Tessa, said Norris left an imprint on her life.

“I remember on the first day of school, Mr. Norris handed us a quote to illustrate. Mine was, ‘There is no elevator to success – you have to take the stairs.’ I told it to my dad, and he still tells it to me constantly,” she said. “Every time I hear it, I think back to that day in English class that changed my life.”

Also at the event, Kevin Pughsley, a science teacher at Berry Middle School in Hoover, was named Alternate Teacher of the Year.

“I believe in and teach my students the importance of a growth mindset,” said Pughsley. “My colleagues and I try to bring our students and families into a community of caring. I enjoy encouraging our new educators to utilize best practices, district-wide training, and small group mentoring opportunities. I am truly thankful to my family, colleagues, students, and local community for their great support.”

State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey said Norris and Pughsley “clearly illustrate the level of professionalism and commitment, which exists within Alabama’s education community. Both of these outstanding educators exemplify classroom excellence.”