Alabama’s 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year Kimberly Johnson has been awarded a new vehicle by Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation, marking the 25th year the organization has presented the recipient with a year’s use of a new vehicle.

Johnson, an intervention coordinator for Auburn Junior High School, was named Teacher of the Year during an Alabama State Department of Education special event on Wednesday in downtown Montgomery. On Thursday, she received the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse during a press conference at Alfa Insurance.

Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance President and CEO Jimmy Parnell sang Johnson’s praises for her dedication as an educator.

“Mrs. Johnson is a great educator who has dedicated herself to helping students who might otherwise fall behind,” said Parnell. “She is truly an inspiration, and she’s made a huge impact in the lives of her students. We’re happy to play a small part in her time as Teacher of the Year by providing a safe, reliable vehicle she can use.”

Congratulations to the 2021-22 Alabama Teacher of the Year, Kimberly Johnson! Kimberly is a National Board-Certified middle school teacher at Auburn Jr. High in Auburn. She was awarded use of a brand new Chevy Traverse for one year, courtesy of #AlfaInsurance & @AlfaFarmers! pic.twitter.com/n1oGD6dhqK

— Alfa Insurance (@Alfa_Insurance) August 12, 2021

Johnson is a National Board-Certified teacher who began her career in 1998 teaching language arts in Decatur at Cedar Ridge Middle School. She said her experience teaching remedial reading to at-risk students during the summer of 1999 established the path for her future.

Johnson expressed her gratitude to Alfa and the Federation for their continued support of education.

“The things that, as an intervention teacher, I have to do, sometimes I have to go see kids,” said Johnson. “I have to go see parents, and so this allows me to do it without worry. And I just appreciate just the support of education that you have for us and all the teachers in Alabama. And just thank you so much.”

As Teacher of the Year, Johnson will serve as an official spokesperson for education, and she is Alabama’s official candidate for the National Teacher of the Year award.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL