FAIRHOPE, Ala.—Jenny Douglass was chosen Teacher of the Year 2008-09 at the Fairhope K-1 Center.

Douglass has been teaching first grade at the K-1 Center for the last 12 years. She is passionate about motivating her young students to learn academically. She provides interesting books for reading; shows students how to research and write non-fiction and fiction stories; and provides tools and fun games to steer students toward solving problems in order to gain math skills. She guides her students socially and emotionally with gentle encouragement and thoughtful nudges via classroom meetings to practice respect for others.

Her wish is that every child wakes up excited about coming to school to learn each day. She enjoys running, riding her bike and spending time with her husband, Scott, and their three children, Kenny, Kay and Bobby.