RHS science teacher Lorraine Perez

By Alison James

alison.james@fct.wpengine.com

In many respects, this has been a summer of champions for Franklin County, with superior performances by everyone from All-Star youth athletes to the international first place RCS Engineering Rocket team. Russellville has added another achievement to this summer-to-remember in the national recognition of RHS science teacher Lorraine Perez.

“I was completely shocked when I found out,” Perez said. “I told my husband, ‘You are not going to believe this.’”

Perez was chosen out of more than 50 state nominees as the Alabama winner of the 2015 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award, an honor presented by the National Association of Biology Teachers.

“This award is a way for the National Association of Biology Teachers to thank dedicated educators for their work in bringing biological concepts alive for students in their classrooms,” explained Madelene Loftin, Alabama OBTA director. “This professional award also recognizes and encourages those teachers whose tireless efforts in the classroom has had significant impact in the lives of their students. Outstanding Biology Teacher Award recipients have demonstrated teaching ability, inventiveness, initiative and commitment to students.”

Perez, who just completed her 18^th year as a teacher, knew she had been nominated for the award and had sent in all the required information, including a video of a lab during which she taught students how to grow bacteria. But when school let out, she set off on vacation, the potential award completely forgotten. It was only after disembarking from her cruise that she had an email requesting more information for the press release announcing her accomplishment.

“I thought, ‘Press release? What is that for?” Perez said. She said she was “blown away” when she found out she had been chosen for the OBTA for Alabama. “I never dreamed I would actually get something like that. It’s just a complete and total surprise and honor. I can’t imagine all of the teachers who applied for it.”

Perez, a Russellville native, teaches biology and other science disciplines. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNA and said teaching was always a career goal.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Perez said. “It’s just one of those things where you have to love it to do it because it’s hard – you spend a lot of your extra time, out of the classroom, that you’re not even compensated for. But it’s so rewarding.”

Perez will be recognized, along with other state winners, by the NABT during its national convention in Providence, R.I.

The Russellville City Schools Board of Education also announced her achievement at Monday’s school board meeting. Superintendent Heath Grimes said, “I think it means our students have the opportunity to receive excellent instruction. We’re extremely excited about that … It says we’re on track, and we’re going to keep moving in that direction.”

Loftin said to her knowledge, Perez is the first teacher from RCS to earn this recognition. Perez said it was “unbelievable” to have been chosen from what was certainly a pool of superior nominees throughout the state.

“I know how hard we work, and a lot of times we’re not rewarded for all the extra things we do,” Perez said. “It’s just very nice to be recognized.”

But Perez, who also enjoys being involved in extracurriculars like the recycling program and the pet club, is – like most teachers – not in this career for praise or acclaim.

“I love the interaction with the students,” she said. “I just love helping them learn. I love to see when they’re excited about learning.”