1. Who is Mrs. Courson? Other than my new 8 th grade Language Arts Teacher?

2. I am a daughter and a sister I was born in Gadsden and raised in Birmingham. My father worked at Goodyear, and my mother was an elementary school teacher. I have one sister who is three years younger than me.

3. My Education I graduated from Shades Valley High School with an Advanced Academic diploma. I was a member of the NHS and MAT. I graduated from Samford University with bachelor’s degrees and teaching certificates in English and Psychology. I attended The University of Alabama for graduate school. I took master’s level classes in Secondary English and earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

4. My Education, con’t. When I was your age and in high school, I enjoyed English and history, but math and science were hard for me. I was very talkative and had lots of good friends. I never played any sports, but I was very active in my church.

5. I am a Wife My husband and I have been married for 25 years. We met in college. We have lived in 3 states. He has been the pastor of Odena Baptist Church for 10 years. He has a doctorate degree in Ministry.

6. I am a Mother I have three children. Samuel is in 10 th grade, Timothy is in 9 th grade, & Ruthie is in 3 rd grade.

7. I am active in Church

8. We spend time with cousins and take care of MawMaw together

9. After school, I take my children to all their activities. Then, I cook, clean, do laundry, grade papers, and occasionally READ (my favorite hobby).

10. I like hands-on teaching

11. Professionally I have been teaching for 20 years. I have been selected as Teacher of the Year for my school six different times. I have won Teacher of the Year for the entire district twice. I have been awarded three grants for technology. I have 3 lessons published on ALSDE. I am certified in Classroom Technology.

12. Jobs I do at school other than teach Sponsor the National Junior Honor Society Sponsor the Spelling Bee Chairman of the Language Arts Dept. Leadership Committee School Rep for Syl. Teachers’ Assoc. District-wide Technology Committee District-wide Calendar Committee Safety Committee Technology Co-hort