TEACHER: Shelly Ford

SCHOOL: Elberta Elementary School

SUBJECTS TAUGHT: First grade

SOMETHING UNUSUAL ABOUT YOURSELF: I take kickboxing. The kids think it’s fun.

“I’m blessed to be able to do what I do,” Elberta Elementary first grade teacher Shelly Ford says.

Before her 15 years at Elberta Elementary School, she taught sixth through eighth grade special education at Perdido School. Ford also taught third grade for one year at Perdido. She has been in the same classroom at Elberta Elementary for 15 years.

Ford has always loved children, and it is one reason why she decided to teach.

“I always babysat growing up,” she says. “I shadowed a kindergarten class in school as part of a career readiness program.”

Ford’s favorite part about teaching is the children.

“I love the kids,” she says. “I love watching their smiles when they learn something new.”

When Ford isn’t teaching, she is spending time with her husband of 15 years, Randy, and their two ballplayers, Caden, 8; and Conner, 4.

“Since it’s ball season, we are at the field a lot.” she says.

She and Randy enjoy water sports, such as paddle boarding and kayaking with their boys.