Escambia Academy English Teacher Bobbi Sasser believes in helping her students find themselves.

Sasser’s belief helped her be named as the Alabama Independent School Association’s Class 2A Secondary Teacher of the Year.

SGA President and Vice President Bailey Lancaster and Carson Barnett nominated Sasser, who has been teaching at EA for 18 years. Each year, the SGA nominates teachers of the year from the elementary, middle and high school.

Sasser said EA Headmaster Wade Heigel, and an excited Lancaster, who was beaming at the news, told her on April 19.

“It feels incredible,” Sasser said. “It’s still kind of surreal to me. It’s one of those things that I never thought I would get.”

Sasser grew up in the AISA. As a youngster, she went to elementary school at Wilcox Academy and Midland High School at Catherine Academy.

“I am an AISA girl at heart,” she said. “This is one of those awards I grew up seeing my mentors and teachers nominated.”

When asked what she loves about the AISA the most, Sasser said it’s because the association boasts a family atmosphere.

Sasser said she especially felt like being a part of the family while in school and in college, adding that when her two oldest went through orientation at college, they found other AISA students.

For some, finding their calling in life is a long process.

Sasser said she knew she wanted to become a teacher, a cheerleading sponsor and a mom while in the ninth grade. She has accomplished each of her goals.

“I’ve loved every second of it,” she said.

Sasser said she loves teaching because she gets to help mold teenagers to who they are academically and in life.

“I love teenagers. They’re amazing. They are fun and funny, and inquisitive and smart, and genuine. I especially have been fortunate because my students want to learn.

“It’s being a part of the fabric of who they become,” she said. “I’m very serious about it, sometimes to a fault. I even follow them into the college arena.”

Barnett, a senior, said Sasser has been a great help with her writing.

“Whether people know it or not, she’s the backbone of this school,” Barnett said. “The amount of work and love she puts in this school is unreal and people deserve to know.”

Other than serving as teacher, Sasser is the state sponsor for the SGA, senior sponsor, college advisor, pep club sponsor and counselor, among other duties. She also does the Blue Ribbon Award the school turns into the AISA every year.

Being named the Teacher of the Year feels like a celebration of everybody that’s impacted her life as a student and teacher, Sasser said.

“It’s a very unique honor,” she said. “I want to share it with everybody.”

Sasser is married to Clint, and the couple has five children, Jordan, Anna Catherine, Emma Caroline, Charlie Reid and Grant.