Alabama's 2008 Teacher of the Year, Roy Hudson, seated, accepts the use of a new car for the year from Jerry A. Newby, president of Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation, right, as State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joseph B. Morton looks on.

Montgomery, Ala. (May 8, 2008) -- Alabama's 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year, Roy Hudson, a teacher at Shades Valley High School in the Jefferson County School System, received a year's use of a new automobile, courtesy of Alfa Insurance Co. and the Alabama Farmers Federation, during a ceremony at the Alfa home office in Montgomery today. Jerry A. Newby, president of Alfa and the Federation, presented Hudson the keys to a 2008 Chevrolet Impala as part of his award for being named the state's top teacher.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joseph B. Morton made the announcement of Alabama's Teacher of the Year during a reception Wednesday evening that honored 16 district finalists. A 15-year veteran of the classroom, Hudson began his teaching career after writing and directing theater, commercials and film for his own production company. Feeling that something was missing from his life, he recalled the mixture of feelings he had when conducting occasional workshops for school children.

"I found the experience, at times, more terrifying than any presentation in a board room for a client, and at the same time, far more satisfying and rewarding," said Hudson, who is the director of theater at Shades Valley High School and serves as the county-wide theater consultant for the school system.

Newby praised Hudson for inspiring his students to shine not only on the stage, but in life as well.

"As a teacher, you have encouraged hundreds of students to reach for the stars as you worked to build your school's theater program into one that serves the entire school system," Newby said. "As Alabama's Teacher of the Year, you will have the opportunity to inspire thousands of teachers, parents and community leaders as you serve as an ambassador for education. We are pleased to present you this automobile to use for the next year as you travel throughout Alabama sharing your ideas and teaching philosophy. Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation appreciate the important role you, and all teachers, play in the lives of our children."

Morton praised Alfa's contributions to the Teacher of the Year Program.

"Alfa's role in the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program and Alfa Teacher of the Month Program enables the Department of Education to recognize outstanding and deserving teachers and principals," Morton said. "The use of an automobile for the Teacher of the Year makes it possible to reach more audiences and bring more visibility to Alabama's nationally recognized program."

This is the 12th year Alfa has presented an automobile to the state Teacher of the Year. During the presentation, Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Mike Kilgore announced the continuation of the Alfa Teacher of the Month program, a separate program from the Teacher of the Year, with the teacher receiving $1,000 and his or her school receiving $1,000. Since the program began, Alfa and the Alabama Farmers Federation have provided $264,000 in cash awards to deserving teachers, principals and schools as part of the Teacher of the Month program.

Hudson will spend the majority of the school year serving as the state spokesperson for education, presenting workshops, speaking to various groups and representing education and the teaching profession. He automatically becomes the state's candidate for National Teacher of the Year.