By Melanie Patterson
The North Jefferson News
Tina Roberts was leaving the library on Dec. 7 when she was surprised by an announcement from the Fultondale Elementary School loudspeakers, followed by applause and cheers.
The school found out at the same moment Roberts did that she was elected teacher of the year by her fellow teachers.
“It made my Monday very pleasant,” she said. “It’s really wonderful when your peers nominate you for something.”
Principal Cynde Cornelius did not vote, but she agreed that Roberts is an outstanding teacher.
“She works tirelessly to go above and beyond the call of duty with her class,” Cornelius said. “I am always amazed at the work her class produces because it is of such high quality.”
Cornelius said that Roberts is also helpful to other teachers, especially new teachers.
Roberts, a third-grade teacher, is in her fifth year at Fultondale. She has been teaching for 15 years, having worked in Fairfield, Hoover and South Carolina.
She did not take the traditional path to teaching. It took her five years to earn her degree because her husband is a U.S. Marine, which means moving periodically.
She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina and her master’s degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Roberts stepped into her first classroom as a teacher at age 35.
It was her own children who inspired her to teach.
“They were both very diverse learners,” she said. “I was amazed at how quickly one could learn to read and how one struggled.”
One of her children was in gifted classes, while the other was diagnosed with dyslexia.
Helping her daughters has helped Roberts deal with diverse learners in her own classrooms.
Roberts said she enjoys her job at Fultondale because of the staff and faculty, and for the school’s amenities.
“The administration here is really great. They really support us,” she said, adding that she also appreciates the friendships she has made with other teachers.
In addition, Roberts enjoys the high level of technology available at Fultondale Elementary.
As one of the newest schools in north Jefferson County, Fultondale Elementary has state-of-the-art equipment that is equal to many high schools.
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