Vestavia Hills teacher Hannah Peterson advances to Alabama Teacher of the Year Final Four
April 22, 2026 – Hannah Peterson is one of just four teachers remaining in contention for Alabama’s highest teaching honor — the 2026 Alabama Teacher of the Year.
Peterson, a health sciences teacher at Vestavia Hills High School, was announced as one of the state’s “Final Four” Teacher of the Year candidates in a press release today from the Alabama State Department of Education.
Peterson, the VHCS Secondary Teacher of the Year, has taught health sciences at Vestavia Hills High School since 2015. She leads a program spanning foundations of health science, sports medicine, and a clinical internship course that places seniors in real healthcare settings. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbus State University and is a licensed and nationally certified athletic trainer who also serves as the school’s head athletic trainer.
Peterson chairs the Alabama Athletic Trainers Association Secondary Advisory Council and advises the school’s HOSA Future Medical Professionals chapter. She was named Alabama Athletic Trainer of the Year for Secondary Schools in 2016.
Peterson advanced to the state competition after earning both the Vestavia Hills High School and VHCS Secondary Teacher of the Year honors last fall. She was joined by VHCS Elementary Teacher of the Year Katie Smith of Vestavia Hills Elementary East who also reached the state’s top-16 round. Peterson has since advanced further, landing among the four remaining finalists.
“Hannah is a distinguished educator who loves her students and embraces her calling to prepare them for their future endeavors. Hannah’s recognition also is a tribute to the importance of Career and Technical Education teachers in Alabama public education,” Vestavia Hills superintendent Todd Freeman said today.
The next step for the final four is an extensive interview with the state judging committee. The 2026-2027 Alabama Teacher of the Year will be announced Wednesday, May 13, 2026, during a special event at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery.