Emily Montgomery

High School Spanish (levels I, II, and III) since 2007.

As a foreign language teacher, I have a very specific learning goal for my students. I believe that it is my responsibility to help them become as proficient in the Spanish language as possible. I want them to reach the highest level they can in all four modes of communication: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. How does that goal influence my philosophy of teaching? Everything I do in my classroom, every activity, every test, etc. must help my students in at least one of those areas. Therefore, I am always thinking how what we do in the classroom will allow them to hear, speak, read, or write in Spanish. These skills are extremely important because without them, my students have no way of communicating. I need to be able to tell my students that my class has value and that them giving me a few years or semesters of their life will have an outcome—they will learn how to communicate.

EF Crystal Globe Award Recipient 2018 for the State of Alabama; Alabama World Language Association Spanish Teacher of the Year 2017; Lauderdale County School System Secondary Teacher of the Year 2013-2014; Rogers High School Teacher of the Year 2013-2014; 2012 Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction (a program of the National Society of High School Scholars that honors educators worldwide); Rogers High School Teacher of the Year 2011-2012

I have a Master's degree in Foreign Language Education from Auburn University. I received my Bachelor's degree from the University of North Alabama in Secondary Education and Spanish with a certification in English as a Second Language.

When I'm not teaching, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending time with my husband and son.