Hoover City Schools Honors Kristin Bundren and Katherine Collins as Teachers of the Year

Hoover Celebrates Its Brightest Stars in Education!

Hey there, Hoover! Exciting news has just rolled in that will make you beam with pride. Kristin Bundren of Spain Park High School and Katherine Collins of Bluff Park Elementary School have officially been named the 2025-2026 Hoover City Schools District Teachers of the Year. What an incredible achievement!

Surprise Celebrations!

Last Thursday, December 12, leaders from the Hoover City Schools (HCS) took a field trip of sorts to deliver this amazing news. Imagine the surprised faces and joyful applause as they surprised both educators at their schools. It was a moment filled with pride, happiness, and a lot of love for our dedicated teachers.

Dr. Kevin Maddox, the HCS Superintendent, couldn’t contain his excitement as he praised these two remarkable women. He declared, “We are so proud of our amazing teachers who go above and beyond to inspire and empower our students every day.” What a wonderful sentiment! Celebrating our teachers is essential, as they play such a vital role in shaping the futures of our kids.

Meet Kristin Bundren!

Let’s give a big shout-out to Kristin Bundren, who snagged the title of Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026. Kristin teaches ninth-grade biology at Spain Park High School and has dedicated an impressive 18 years to the Hoover school system!

Kristin isn’t just any teacher; she’s a National Board Certified Teacher and has even received the prestigious Presidential Award in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Talk about credentials! Her approach to making science fun and accessible is truly inspiring. Kristin focuses on critical thinking, collaboration, and hands-on experimentation in her classroom. She encourages her students to face challenges with curiosity and resilience—what a fantastic life lesson!

Moreover, she’s committed to helping her fellow teachers grow too. Kristin actively mentors new educators and leads professional development sessions at both state and national levels. If that doesn’t scream “team spirit,” we don’t know what does!

And Here’s Katherine Collins!

Now, let’s shine a spotlight on Katherine Collins, our Elementary Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026! Katherine has been brightening the minds of first-graders at Bluff Park Elementary School for an amazing eight years. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher and a Google Classroom Educator. Wow, she’s got some modern flair!

Katherine is known for her project-based learning units, such as the innovative Farmer’s Market initiative, where students get to integrate various subjects into engaging lessons. This is hands-on learning that really resonates with kids and brings education to life!

With 20 years of teaching under her belt, Katherine is armed with a treasure trove of experience, and her passion for creating enriching learning experiences is evident. She’s even secured multiple grants for her classroom, including funding for a school greenhouse, which adds a fun element to learning about nature and sustainability.

What’s Next?

So, what’s next for these two talented educators? They will move on to represent Hoover City Schools at the upcoming Alabama Teacher of the Year Competition. The awards ceremony will be held in May 2025, and we can’t wait to cheer them on!

In closing, let’s give a big round of applause to both Kristin Bundren and Katherine Collins! Their hard work and dedication to education deserve all the recognition and support. Here’s to our incredible stars in teaching—let’s continue to celebrate the amazing impact they have on our students and our community!