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JEFFERSON COUNTY TEACHER GETS HIGH MARKS FROM ALFA
MONTGOMERY, Ala. A Jefferson County educator's strict yet compassionate teaching style has earned Glenda F. Bice the respect of her students and this month vaulted her to distinction as Alfa's Teacher of the Month for May. As this month's winner, Bice will receive $1,000 from Alfa Insurance, and her school, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, will receive a matching award from the Alabama Farmers Federation. A 1967 graduate of Jacksonville State University, Bice went on to earn a master's degree from Georgia State University and masters certification in gifted/talented education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Bice is a National Board Certified teacher who has attended continuing education workshops throughout the United States. She also shares her knowledge with other educators as a mentor and presenter. Bice said she sets high expectations for her classes but is always adjusting her curriculum to meet the individual needs of the students. "Teachers should insist on high standards and work turned in on time, but be flexible enough to give a student who sincerely wants to improve some one-on-one help and chance to rewrite a paper to improve his grade (maybe), but mainly his self-image," Bice said. Bice currently teaches advanced placement language and composition at her school and, last year, served as an adjunct instructor at UAB. In the classroom, Bice encourages her students to write about current events as well as concepts learned in other classes. She also brings in outside speakers and exchanges ideas with students and other teachers about new ways to inspire learning. "With our changing world, more diversity exists in all classrooms, from different cultures to different academic backgrounds and abilities," Bice said. "Teachers must accommodate for a variety of learning abilities and styles and be willing to try new techniques for old subject matter." Since 1998, the Alfa Teacher of the Month program has awarded more than $175,000 to outstanding educators and their schools. This year, the program will recognize one teacher from each state school board district as well as two principals and two private school teachers. Application information is available by clicking on "Alfa Teacher of the Month" in the Ag Links section of www.alfafarmers.org.
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