Alabama's new Teacher of the Year, Pamela Harman, accepts the keys to a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer from Alfa Executive Vice President of Marketing Herman Watts during a ceremony at Alfa Thursday morning. Also present for the ceremony were State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton, left, and Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Mike Kilgore, right.

Montgomery, Alabama (May 10, 2007) -- Alabama’s 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year, Pamela Harman, a teacher at Spain Park High School in the Hoover City School System, received a year’s use of a new automobile, courtesy of Alfa Insurance Co. and the Alabama Farmers Federation during a ceremony at the Alfa home office in Montgomery today. Alfa Executive Vice President of Marketing Herman Watts presented Harman the keys to a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer as part of her award for being named the state’s top teacher.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joseph B. Morton made the announcement of Alabama’s Teacher of the Year during a reception Wednesday evening that honored 16 district finalists for Teacher of the Year. A national board-certified teacher, Harman teaches earth science to 11th- and 12th-graders. She said “being a teacher is not something that you do; being a teacher is something that you simply are.”

Watts praised Harman for the inspiration she provides to her students as well as fellow educators.

“As a teacher, you have the opportunity to touch the lives of hundreds of students,” Watts said. “Now, as Alabama’s Teacher of the Year, you have the opportunity to inspire thousands of other teachers who will touch hundreds of thousands of lives. We are pleased to present you this automobile to use for the next year as you travel throughout Alabama sharing your ideas and teaching philosophy. Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation recognize the wonderful job that you and all our teachers do.”

Morton praised Alfa’s contributions to the Teacher of the Year Program.

“Through its continued support over the years, not only has Alfa made the role of the Alabama Teacher of the Year more rewarding, but they have shown a diligent commitment to excellence in teaching,” Morton said. “Providing the Alabama Teacher of the Year with a comfortable and safe automobile to travel around the state in is just one of the many ways in which Alfa exhibits its dedication to quality education.”

This is the 11th year Alfa has presented an automobile to the state Teacher of the Year.

During the presentation, Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Mike Kilgore announced the continuation of the Alfa Teacher of the Month program, a separate program from the Teacher of the Year, with the teacher receiving $1,000 and his or her school receiving $1,000. Since the program began, Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation have provided $240,000 in cash awards to deserving teachers, principals and schools as part of the Teacher of the Month program.

Harman will spend the majority of the school year serving as the state spokesperson for education, presenting workshops, speaking to various groups and representing education and the teaching profession. She automatically becomes the state’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.