Alfa awards vehicle to Alabama Teacher of the Year Katie Collins of Bluff Park Elementary

First-grade teacher Katie Collins of Bluff Park Elementary received a high honor — and a new ride — during a celebratory assembly Tuesday after being named Alabama’s 2025-26 Teacher of the Year.

As students and colleagues erupted in cheers of “Mrs. Collins!”, Alfa Insurance and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell handed Collins the keys to a 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, a vehicle she will use throughout her year as the state’s education ambassador. The Federation is also covering the cost of the vehicle’s insurance.

“What an honor it is to stand up here today, and thank you, Alfa, for this really cool car,” said Collins. “Never in her wildest dreams would the 6-year-old version of myself, who wholeheartedly knew she was destined to be a teacher, dream up being here today as Alabama Teacher of the Year.”

This marks the 29th year Alfa has provided Alabama’s Teacher of the Year with a vehicle to support travel and outreach.

“Teachers across all school levels have a tremendous impact on their students and the communities they serve,” said Parnell. “I believe if you do what you love and do it well, success will follow, and that’s certainly what we can expect from this outstanding advocate for education.”

A 20-year educator, Collins previously taught middle and high school French and English before joining Bluff Park in 2017. She co-founded the Communities Family Literacy Program, which began as a grassroots initiative and has since grown into a fully funded literacy effort serving ESL families in Hoover City Schools.

Collins, who refers to her school as a “garden,” credited her colleagues for nurturing student growth alongside her.

“We believe children who are sitting in our classrooms are a living and breathing representation of the potential our world can be, and what we do in each and every moment of tending that garden is vital to the growth that is yet to come,” she said. “We show up, weathering the harsh conditions and true difficulties that come with this garden. Weeds of adversity pop up, but we never stop believing we’ll harvest a product of good. So, we watch, wait, hope, and believe. We celebrate a sprouting, even if we have to look very closely to see it.”

As Alabama Teacher of the Year, Collins will travel statewide as an ambassador for public education, speaking at civic events, leading workshops, and promoting best practices. She said she plans to advocate for student mental health and classroom experiences that build independence and resilience.

“I believe student engagement is the heartbeat in the joy of learning,” said Collins. “As the 2025-2026 Alabama Teacher of the Year, I will work to raise more awareness about mental health among our youth and promote best practice solutions and independence-building classroom experiences. It is critical that we provide children with the tools to navigate both the real and virtual worlds in a way that fosters resilience and overall well-being.”

According to the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), more than 150 educators applied for this year’s Teacher of the Year recognition. State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey praised Collins as a model educator.

“We really enjoy this event, celebrating the best educators across the state and honoring their dedication to the art of teaching. Alabama Teacher of the Year Katie H. Collins represents the highest level of professionalism,” said Mackey. “She is a true advocate for education and understands the value in establishing a love for learning early in these students’ lives. Hoover City Schools is incredibly fortunate to have an educator of her caliber, as is the state of Alabama.”

Collins will represent Alabama in the National Teacher of the Year Program and will be joined in advocacy work by Alternate State Teacher of the Year Aubrey Bennett of George Washington Carver High School in Birmingham.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].