Echols Middle School's John David Booth Named Finalist For Alabama Teacher Of The Year

TUSCALOOSA, AL — An Echols Middle School history teacher has been recognized among the top teachers in the state, with John David Booth being named one of 16 finalists for the 2026–2027 Alabama Teacher of the Year.

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Booth, who teaches eighth-grade history at Echols Middle School, advanced to the statewide finalist round after being selected as the Tuscaloosa County School System’s Secondary Teacher of the Year in February.

He is the second area educator to be named among this year's finalists, with Patch reporting that Katy Busby, librarian at Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools–Elementary, was also selected.

The Alabama Teacher of the Year program honors outstanding educators across the state, with finalists moving through a multi-phase selection process before the top honorees are chosen.

A product of the Tuscaloosa County School System, Booth is a graduate of Sipsey Valley High School and returned to the system as an educator after completing his own studies.

TCSS officials highlighted his continued professional development, noting he is a recent graduate of both the TCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy and TCSS U — a program designed to educate community members about the inner workings of the school system.

The recognition marks the first time since 2021 that a TCSS educator has reached the finalist stage. That year, Leah Hughes of Hillcrest High School was also named among the top 16 candidates for Alabama Teacher of the Year.

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