She’s been described as “an inspiration,” and one wouldn’t argue looking at Marilyn Ward’s involvement at Foley Middle School, which played, in part, to her title as Baldwin County’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Ward calls Foley Middle School home for the 10th year now, but before her middle school-teaching days, she was at Foley High School for six years.

At the middle school or high school, Ward has a history with South Baldwin.

“I grew up in Gulf Shores,” she says, “but I went to Foley before Gulf Shores’ schools were built.”

Ward’s favorite part about teaching is simple.

“The interaction with students,” she says. “I love getting to see them go on and become successful adults. Several have gone on to become teachers, business owners … being successful members of the community.”

Ward admits she’s even taught some of her previous students’ children.

She comes from a long line of educators in her family, so it’s no surprise Ward became a teacher as well.

“I always wanted to be a teacher and I’ve always loved social studies,” she says.

Ward has taught different types of social studies, but she’s mainly taught history.

What many cannot deny that is a characteristic of Ward and Baldwin County’s Teachers of the Year is involvement with students outside the classroom.

Ward sponsors clubs and is sure to attend student programs after the bell rings.

“It’s so I can interact with the kids and see them in a different way,” Ward says. “When I first started teaching people told me ‘Make sure you’re visible at outside events.’ I was amazed at how the students notice I’m at different events.”

Right now, Ward is a Student Government Association sponsor, teacher coordinator of Peer Helpers and the yearbook sponsor.