Melinda Roddy, Literacy Coach for both Oak Mountain Intermediate and Oak Mountain Middle School, has been named Reading Teacher of the Year by Centrala, the local council affiliate for the Alabama Reading Association (ARA) and the International Literacy Association.

Shelby County Teachers have had a long association with ARA and have supplied multiple officers including current Shelby County teachers, Jerry Bullock, who served as the past ARA President and Beth Fuller, who is currently serving as the ARA President-Elect.

“Melinda’s selection was based on the recommendation of her peers, principal, and application outlining her philosophy of teaching,” said Fuller. “She engages teachers and students in a deep exploration of reading and writing on a daily basis. Ms. Roddy knows how to motivate students to be curious, passionate learners. She is responsible for hundreds (if not thousands) of students who love to read.”

Centrala, the ARA Council serving teachers in Shelby County Schools, Alabaster City Schools and Pelham City Schools was the hosting council for the 47th Annual ARA Fall Conference, held on November 12-13 at the Grand Marriott in Birmingham.   Shelby County Schools Superintendent, Randy Fuller delivered a “Welcome” address on Friday, November 13.

Shelby County literacy coaches Heather Braswell and Lacey Hughes presented a concurrent session.  A total of 450 participants attended the conference from across the state, including a large number of Shelby County educators.  Participants heard inspiring words from conference speakers Jeff Anderson, Kwame Alexander, Dr. Tommy Bice, Ann Marie Corgill, Freddie Hiebert, and ILA President, Diane Barone.