This is the sixth installment of Q&As with the teachers who have been selected as Teachers of the Year at Limestone County Schools.

Name: Jake Siefert

School: Elkmont High School

Grade Level(s) Taught: 8th and 9th Grade

Subject(s) Taught: Modern World History and English Language Arts (ELA)

Degrees & Granting Institutions, Special Certifications and/or Training: 

— Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education, Magna Cum Laude, from Urbana University (Urbana, OH)

—  National Dean’s List

— Reading Endorsement

— Academic All-American in collegiate soccer

— Currently obtaining a Master’s of Arts Degree in History from the University of North Alabama

How many years have you been in education?

I have been in education for 17 years.

How many are with Limestone County Schools?

I have been with Limestone County Schools for 6 years

What makes you proud to be an educator? 

I am deeply honored to be able to pay it forward and impact young people through teaching and coaching. From my parents and family members to various teachers, coaches, pastors and mentors, the good Lord has blessed me with a lot of great folks in my life who have helped shape me. It is a high calling to pass that on and try to inspire the next generation.

What has your experience in the education field taught you?

It has reminded me that I will never “arrive” and that I will always have much to learn. I am a life-long learner, always seeking to grow and get better, to keep my eyes and ears open searching for both knowledge and the wisdom to apply it.

What do you enjoy most about working for Limestone County Schools? 

Limestone County Schools is simply full of terrific people. From our amazing students, parents, communities, teachers, faculty, staff, administration, custodians, cafeteria workers and maintenance. Limestone County Schools has quality folks who get the job done. I work with the best of the best at Elkmont High School.

How do your students inspire you?

As discouraging as our profession can be at times, my students never cease to amaze me. They are so full of life and have such incredible potential. They remind me to never forget the simple joys of childhood and youth, and they inspire me to never forget the potential I have within myself as well. I tell my students every year, “You’ll teach me some things this year, too,” and it never fails that they do just that.

What are your hobbies?

I love any and all sports, I love the outdoors and being in nature, I am an active member of my church, I enjoy reading and dabbling in a bit of writing, I keep up with local, state, national and international politics — and above all I love spending time with my incredible wife and two boys.

What is your favorite quote?

“The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts. The right defense against false sentiments is to inculcate just sentiments. By starving the sensibility of our pupils we only make them easier prey to the propagandist when he comes. For famished nature will be avenged and a hard heart is no infallible protection against a soft head.” — C.S. Lewis.

The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program honors and recognizes excellence in the teaching profession by identifying outstanding classroom teachers at local, district and state levels. The Teacher of the Year Program is open to any public school classroom teacher, librarian, counselor or other certified individuals in a K-12 setting.

The Limestone County Schools System honored each Teacher of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet held on Monday, Dec. 2. The Limestone County Schools District-Level Elementary (K-6) and Secondary (7-12) Teacher of the Year, along with the Educational Support Person of the Year, was announced at the special event. These teachers will then represent Limestone County Schools in the Alabama Teacher of the Year state competition.