MONTGOMERY, Alabama — A pair of Baldwin County teachers are among the 16 finalists for Alabama’s 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year awards.

Judy Peacock Bridges, a science teacher at Baldwin County High School, and Kelly Cleere, a sixth grade teacher at Orange Beach Elementary, have been selected to represent District I. Eight district representatives were selected from among the state’s elementary and secondary (middle and high school) programs.

“The educators nominated for this prestigious award nurture the character, intellect, and talent of Alabama’s students, and are committed to helping their students achieve success in the classroom and beyond,” said Sherrill Parris, Senior Deputy State Superintendent of Education. “They exemplify teaching at its best, and we are proud to have them teaching in our state.”

The 16 finalists have emerged from a group of over 140 exceptional educators from across the state who submitted applications for the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious award programs for teachers.

The pool will soon be narrowed down to four, and the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a ceremony hosted by the Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education on Wednesday, May 11 at 6 p.m. at the RSA Plaza Terrace in Montgomery.

Alabama’s Teacher of the Year spends the majority of the school year serving as a full-time ambassador for education and the teaching profession as well as presenting workshops to various groups. Additionally, Alabama’s representative is a candidate for the National Teacher of the Year.

Reflecting on her experiences as a previous finalist and as Alabama’s current Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Brown said, “Wow! What an honor and a privilege it has been to represent Alabama's passionate and dedicated army of educators who are educating and advocating for students each and every day. I am grateful to have been granted the opportunity to visit, observe, and share stories from many of the classrooms of our teacher champions of Alabama. Congratulations to the 16 teachers chosen to represent their districts. Thanks to each of you for the wonderful work you do with your students as well as the work you do to elevate and strengthen our profession.”

Additional district representatives for the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year Awards are:

District II: Dawn Davis, Montana Street Magnet School, Dothan City School System; and Kathryn Johnson Enos, Enterprise High School, Enterprise City School System.

District III: Kathryn Flippo, Bluff Park Elementary School, Hoover City School System; and Vinny Chiaramonte, Robert F. Bumpus Middle School, Hoover City School System.

District IV: Mikki Powell, Rock Quarry Elementary School, Tuscaloosa City School System; and Joseph Smith III, John Herbert Phillips Academy, Birmingham City School System.

District V: Dawn Judy Ellis, Peter Crump Elementary School, Montgomery County School System; and John C. Conway, Booker T. Washington Magnet High School.

District VI: Connie Bowman, Iola Roberts Elementary School, Pell City School System; and Mary Katherine White, Guntersville High School, Guntersville School System.

District VII: Sandy Georgette Deades Ritchey, Crestline Elementary School, Mountain Brook City School System; and Dana Jacobson, Clay-Chalkville High School, Jefferson County School System.

District VIII: Nancy Spencer Brandon, Rainbow Elementary School, Madison City School System; and Carol Bohatch, James Clemens High School, Madison City School System.