Saraland, Ala. – On Monday, the city kicked off the seventh annual Thank Alabama Teachers Month with a heartfelt breakfast for local educators. The event, held at Saraland High School, brought together students, families, city officials and State Superintendent Eric Mackey to publicly thank teachers for their dedication.
Students lead the gratitude
Junior Ava Kelly stood before her peers and described how teachers have shaped her life and the lives of her classmates. “They mean the world to me. They have made such an impact in my life and all of my fellow students’ lives. They do so much for us. They sponsor clubs. They help us with schoolwork and outside of school stuff. They mean a lot,” Kelly said.
Another junior, Jeffrey Holmes, shared that a high‑school teacher has inspired him to consider a career in education. “There are a lot of teachers that have had like a really big impact on me. I have one teacher here at the high school who’s helped me learn how to be a teacher and how to be a good teacher and make sure everybody’s learning and stuff,” Holmes explained. He added, “I would say just thank you to them because I don’t think anybody says thank you enough for all the time and hard work they put into it.”
State leadership joins the celebration
State Superintendent Eric Mackey attended the breakfast on behalf of Alabama’s Department of Education. Mackey explained that November was chosen for the month‑long celebration because it aligns with the nation’s Thanksgiving season, a time for gratitude. “Every year in November, we want to do Thank Alabama Teachers Month. And really, when we were thinking about where’s a place we can go where we know they’re going to help us celebrate the greatness of teachers, the goodness of teachers, the giving of teachers, and that’s why we do this in November, because this is the season of Thanksgiving,” Mackey said.
He praised Saraland’s community for rolling out the red carpet for educators, noting that the city’s effort exemplifies the partnership between local leaders and schools that strengthens families and neighborhoods.
Community impact
The breakfast underscored the broader role teachers play in Saraland’s families. By sponsoring clubs, providing academic support and serving as mentors, educators help build the strong, faith‑centered families that form the backbone of the community. Parents and local business owners expressed pride in the city’s commitment to honoring those who shape the next generation.
Mayor [Name] (city official) highlighted the event as a reminder that supporting teachers is an investment in the future of Saraland’s children and, ultimately, the health of the entire community. “When we lift up our teachers, we lift up our families, our churches, and our local economy,” the mayor said.
Looking ahead
Throughout November, Saraland will host additional activities, including classroom supply drives, volunteer tutoring sessions and a community‑wide pledge to recognize teachers’ contributions year‑round. Organizers hope the momentum generated by the breakfast will inspire other Alabama towns to follow suit.
As the month progresses, students plan to write thank‑you notes, create video tributes and share stories on social media using the hashtag #ThankAlabamaTeachers. The collective effort aims to ensure that teachers receive the appreciation they deserve not only in November, but every day.
Original reporting: FOX10 WALA Mobile (news) — read the source article.
