By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Jenna Campbell at Montevallo Elementary School has been named one of five finalists in the state for Jacksonville State University’s Teacher Hall of Fame.

Previously, Campbell was named Shelby County Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year in December 2016.

“It was really a humbling experience. When I went that evening, I certainly was not thinking I was going to be winning for our district,” Campbell said. “To say that was an amazing experience is truly an understatement.”

Being her district’s teacher of the year was a prerequisite to being considered for the Teacher Hall of Fame. The award was created in 1969 to honor and recognize the classroom teachers of public schools in Alabama.

According to JSU’s website, “[Candidates] must maintain exemplary standards of behavior and ethics, exhibit leadership, be enthusiastic about teaching, demonstrate competency in subject matter, work well with colleagues and administrators, and constantly seek to encourage, inspire and motivate students toward greater accomplishment.”

“You could talk to anybody in this building, her peers, or people at the district level [and they] will tell you that her work ethic is unparalleled, her love for her students is like no other and her passion for her work is immeasurable,” MES principal Allison Campbell said. “She has that desire every single day to give her students her best, and she does ask that in return from her students. Because they feel loved by her and can see that she loves her work, she is able to move mountains. The kids that she serves make so much progress.”

Jenna Campbell serves almost 125 students as the school’s reading interventionist in kindergarten through fifth grade, according to Allison Campbell.

Jenna Campbell graduated from the University of Montevallo in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, then started three days later in a master’s program. She earned her graduate degree in 2008 and began teaching at MES.

“This is the only school I’ve ever taught at. It certainly feels like home. The community is home to me, as well as the school in itself. The faculty here, we are like a family and they are some of my closest friends,” Jenna Campbell said.

Jenna Campbell will find out if she will enter the Teacher Hall of Fame on May 11 during the award ceremony at JSU’s campus.

“I can’t say enough about the work she does for our kids,” Allison Campbell said. “We’re just very happy to have her represent Montevallo Elementary. It’s a big deal for us.”