OUR INITIATIVES
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
The Teacher of the Year Banquet is an annual event to celebrate the Teacher of the Year from each of Baldwin County Public Schools’ 48 campuses and teachers who have obtained National Board Certification, the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education.
The faculty at each school nominates and selects their Teacher of the Year. A committee of teachers, administrators and prior honorees select the two County Teachers of the Year: one elementary and one secondary. The two county winners are announced at the banquet and advance to compete at the district, regional and state levels.
The event is made possible through the generous support of our annual investors. Please join us in recognizing our outstanding educators!
2025 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Laura Smith, Fairhope High School, Baldwin County Secondary Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Smith has spent the past 12 years teaching English to high school students, covering everything from Creative Writing to AP Language and Composition. A proud alumna of Fairhope High School, she now teaches in the very school that shaped her.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing with a minor in Music from Louisiana State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a Certificate in Editing and Publishing from Florida State University. Prior to high school teaching, she taught college-level writing courses at FSU.
Laura believes literature teaches critical life skills and encourages students to explore diverse perspectives. She lives in Fairhope with her husband and son and enjoys gardening, writing fiction, and making music with her family.
Shawn Kavanaugh, Belforest Elementary, Baldwin County Elementary Teacher of the Year
Mrs. Kavanaugh began her teaching career in 1985 after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Southeast Missouri State University, followed by a Master’s degree in the same field. Over her 39-year career, she has taught in Missouri and at Belforest Elementary in Baldwin County. Her roles have included general education, special education, and Title I Reading.
Her accolades include Soil and Conservation Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Year honors in 2008, 2015, and 2024, and the Golden Apple Teacher Award in 2020. She was also part of the team that helped her school earn the National Blue Ribbon Award.
Mrs. Kavanaugh is passionate about creating a warm, inclusive classroom where students are inspired to strive for excellence. Outside the classroom, she enjoys time with her husband, daughters, and six grandchildren. She’s a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan, beachgoer, and avid reader.