Sara Altmyer is one of the second grade teachers at Gulf Shores Elementary School.

“I teach all subjects except P.E., art and music,” Altmyer says. “We do sing a lot in our classroom, though.”

This is Altmyer’s 19th year teaching and her 16th year teaching second grade. Throughout her years as a teacher, she took a nine-year leave of absence from teaching at GSMS when her daughters were born. During five of those years, Altmyer taught 4 and 5 year olds at Mother’s Day Out at the Methodist church in Gulf Shores.

Altmyer’s mom always told her she was going to be a teacher.

“I remember getting a school desk and chalkboard for Christmas when I was in kindergarten and I loved it,” she says. “As I grew older, I realized what a deep love I have for children. I could easily relate to them, so teaching was perfect for me.”

Altmyer enjoys helping young readers become more successful readers.

“That includes helping the struggling readers become confident readers, as well as the stronger readers moving on to the fabulous world of chapter books,” she says. “I also really love developing close relationships with my students and their families where we all work together to help raise our children to be kind, thoughtful and caring.”

Even when her job may get difficult, Altmyer loves what she does.

“Although teaching is, at times, an exhausting profession, I am so grateful and honored to be in the classroom and have the ability to influence a child’s life in such meaningful ways,” she says.

When she isn’t in the classroom, Altmyer loves to read and write. She also loves going to the beach.

TEACHER: Sara Altmyer

SCHOOL: Gulf Shores Elementary School

SUBJECTS TAUGHT: Second grade

SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT YOURSELF: Most of them don't know that I pray for them every day.