By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Roxann Edsell is a kindergarten teacher at First Baptist Church of Alabaster.

After 10 years at First Baptist she is well known as “Ms. Roxann” and teaches 5-year-olds five days a week.

Having lived in Alabaster for 30 years, the Edsell family came here as a result of a job move by husband Steve.

He is a senior project manager with Hardy Corp. and has been employed with them for 33 years.

Because her stepfather was in the Air Force, Edsell moved often.

After 11 schools in 13 years, she graduated from Harrison Central High School in Gulfport, Miss. and then went on to graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Later she returned to college at Jeff State and earned a child development degree. She also ran an accredited home daycare for many years.

Edsell has volunteered in scouting for nearly 20 years and serves as the Scouting Coordinator at Helena United Methodist Church.

Both her children have received the highest rank in scouting.

Edsell is a master educator in Leave No Trace (an environmental education program) and also finds time to be very active in the Emmaus Community.

The Edsells have two children. Daughter Shannon, age 24, is a graduate student in bioarchaeology at the University of Alabama after receiving two degrees from Auburn. Son Kyle, age 19, attends Auburn as a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering.

Edsell has three sisters, one half-sister and two half-brothers.

Hiking, backpacking and relaxing on the beach or at the lake plus reading fill in any “extra time” for this active lady.

Well traveled, Edsell spent two “tours of duty” with her stepfather when he was stationed in Italy.

Her family has also taken a trip to Alaska and two years ago she went to visit one of her sisters in Australia.

As a teacher to 14 boys (this is her second all-boy class), Edsell was inspired by her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Darlington, who was encouraging and made Edsell feel important and special.

“I want to be a Mrs. Darlington for someone else,” Edsell said. “Being a positive force and an encourager for these children is my goal.”