Every year, each elementary and secondary school in the county selects a teacher of the year from their school. The News Courier will be publishing a few facts about each of the 2023 LCS teachers of the year during the next few weeks.

Name: Jim Rogers

School: Clements High School

Grade(s) taught: 7-12

Subject(s) taught: Agriscience

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

• Bachelor of Science in Horticulture- Auburn University
• Alternative Baccalaureate Certificate- Athens State University
• Masters of Education in Career and Technical Education- Athens State University (Currently Enrolled)
• Alabama Hunters’ Education Instructor
• Alabama Water Watch Certification

How many years have you been in education? Currently in 3rd year

How many are with Limestone County Schools? All

What makes you proud to be an educator? The opportunity to mentor young people and help them grow.

What has your experience in the education field taught you? I’ve learned that students need positive role models and influences in their lives more than ever. Whether they come from a good home background or not, students have grown up with so much exposure to readily available information on the internet, that they need more real life resources to guide them towards positive and successful futures. The saying that it takes a village to raise a child really is true. Every student has it in them to be successful and to be leaders. They deserve the investment to find how they learn, what motivates them, and help them reach their full potential.

What do you enjoy most about working for Limestone County Schools? The support of the community. From the administration, to the teachers, staff and parents, I feel like I’ve had incredible support my entire time here.

How do your students inspire you? Their sincerity. If they care or not, you’re going to know. That inspires me to do a better job, be a better teacher, husband and parent. They can see right through the people. The more I care about their success, the more they will.

What are your hobbies? Spending time with my daughter and wife, cooking, hunting and fishing.

Favorite Quote: “When you’re in a room, be in the room.” We were told this in a freshmen orientation class at Auburn by instructor John Penick. This was in 2005-2006, right before the distractions of smartphones and 24/7 connection to the outside world. This simple statement has carried with me since then and is better advice now than it was then.