Melisa Everett had plans to become a sports lawyer, but she says God told her he had a higher calling for her.

“I took the LSAT, got into law school, and the Lord just told me I didn’t need to go there,” Everett says.

Everett is currently in the midst of her 12th year of teaching ninth grade English at Gulf Shores High School, which is a surprising topic for anyone who knew her in high school.

“In high school, I actually hated literature,” Everett says. “I didn’t see the point in it, but at the same time, I loved grammar. I am a black and white person, so grammar has always made sense to me.”

After receiving her master’s degree from the University of South Alabama, Everett says she started to read pieces of American literature in her spare time, and she started to love the subject matter.

Even now, Everett says she isn’t the fastest reader, but that might actually help her connect to her students.

“I tell my kids I struggle sometimes,” Everett says. “I’m not a fast reader. I have to take notes. So I hope they see me, and can be encouraged to try hard to learn the lessons, no matter how difficult it is.”

Everett says she has fallen in love with her career as a teacher.

“I have told my students that the day I hate walking into this school is the day I will quit,” Everett says. “I love this job. I don’t say it haphazardly; I truly love my job. I truly delight in the opportunity to serve the children of Baldwin County.”

Everett’s love for the students of Baldwin County can be traced back to her deep roots in the county.

“My husband and I are fully Baldwin County people,” Everett says. “I’m from Spanish Fort, went to Daphne High School, my husband went to Fairhope, we live in Foley and I work here in Gulf Shores.”

TEACHER: Melisa Everett

SCHOOL: Gulf Shores High School

SUBJECTS TAUGHT: Ninth grade English

SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT YOURSELF: People are always surprised by how hard I work out. I’m really strong. People are always amazed by how much I can lift and how hard I work out. I can’t run — I would die 100 yards into a run — but I can out lift most people for sure.