Siblings win teachers of the year at PC
Former Franklin County circuit court Judge John Jolly presents teachers Jimmy Pounders and Kathy Canida with teaching awards. | Nathan Strickland/FCT
PHIL CAMPBELL- A brother and sister duo was recognized by the “There’s a Way” organization Wednesday for their contributions through teaching.
Former Franklin County Circuit Judge John Jolly presented the “Most Outstanding Teachers of the Year” awards to Phil Campbell teachers Jimmy Pounders for grades 7-12 and Kathy Canida for grades K-6.
“The ‘There’s a Way’ organization was created back in 2000 to help with student scholarships and recognize teachers in all the Franklin County schools for the hard work they have put into teaching students,” Jolly said.
The awards consisted of a couple of locally handcrafted wooden bowls serving as plaques and two $500 checks.
Pounders, who teaches Biology and Anatomy at Phil Campbell, said it is truly an honor to receive the award.
“I would like to send out a special thanks to Judge Jolly and everyone who nominated me and my sister for these awards,” he said. “I know this award was voted on by our peers and it is an honor when people believe you do a good job.”
The siblings took pretty much the same route to get into teaching. Both graduated from Phil Campbell High School, both attended what is now Northwest-Shoals Community College and both transferred, graduating with degrees in education from the University of North Alabama.
“When I went to UNA the school changed its name three times,” Pounders said laughing. “I started at Florence State, then it changed to FSU and my degree has UNA on it.”
Even though both ended up back teaching in their hometown, the siblings took different routes after college.
Pounders taught at Belgreen and Tharptown schools before getting back to Phil Campbell and Canida taught for one year at East Franklin Junior High.
“Together we have just about taught at every county school. All we like is Red Bay and Vina to having them all,” Canida said. “I really enjoy teaching. It is the best job in the world as far as I am concerned.”
Canida, who serves as the Phil Campbell Elementary reading coach, said she gets a chance to teach almost all the kids at the elementary level.
Canida said her older brother’s decision to go into teaching had some influence on her career goals, but admits she had thought about teaching before he got his degree.
“Our dad passed away when my brother was 16 and I was 10,” she said. “Our other siblings had grown up, got married and moved out so there for a long time it was just me, him and our mother. He kind of took the role as man of the house and I looked up to him.”
Canida believes it will take another five years before she can even think about retiring.
Pounders has been teaching for 34 years and believes two more years will make him eligible for retirement, but even then he said he is not real sure he wants it to end.
“Seeing kids do well in school, watching them go off to college then come back and thank you for teaching them early on is what makes the job worth wild for me,” Pounder said.
Canida said schools are pretty much what keeps the family alive.
“Last time I counted we had 15 teachers, one teacher’s aid and two bus drivers in our extended family,” she said. “So that is really all we ever talk about once we all get together.”
As both Pounders and Canida near the end of their careers, they believe this moment where both received the outstanding teacher award at the same time will stick out as one of the most memorable highlights in their educational careers.
